Factors influencing the formation of the first professional unions of printers in Ukraine

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The relevance of the study is determined by the need for a deeper understanding of the historical and state factors that influenced the formation of the first professional associations on Ukrainian lands, which represent an important component in the development of civil society and the trade union movement. Examining this issue allows for an analysis of how external political circumstances, state reforms, and socio-economic transformations affected the organization of workers’, peasants’, and intellectuals’ associations. The topic is also relevant for understanding the historical roots of contemporary trade union movements in Ukraine, assessing the role of social solidarity, and drawing lessons from past experiences for the protection of labor rights and the development of democratic practices.

The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the historical and state factors that influenced the formation of the first professional associations on Ukrainian lands in the 18th–19th centuries, as well as to examine the social, political, economic, cultural, and educational conditions that contributed to their emergence. The research also seeks to assess the impact of external political factors, including the partitions of Poland and the policies of the Austrian and Russian Empires, on the organization of workers’, peasants’, and intellectuals’ associations, and to evaluate how state reforms laid the foundations for the development of civil society and the early Ukrainian trade union movement.

The methodology of the study is based on a comprehensive historical-scientific approach, which involves the use of both theoretical and empirical research methods. Theoretical methods include systemic analysis, comparative-historical analysis, exa­mi­nation of socio-political and economic factors, and interpretation of historical sources. Empirical methods involve the study of archival materials, statistical data, administrative documents, metric records, and other primary sources from the 18th–19th centuries. Additionally, the method of synthesis is applied to integrate the collected data and form a holistic understanding of the processes that led to the emergence of professional associations on Ukrainian lands.

The study revealed that the formation of the first professional associations on Ukrainian lands in the 18th–19th centuries was influenced by a complex interplay of historical, political, social, and economic factors. Key results indicate that state reforms implemented by the Austrian authorities in Eastern Galicia, including administrative, educational, and agrarian policies, significantly facilitated social mobilization and the development of self-organization among workers, peasants, and the intelligentsia. The partitions of Poland and the differing approaches of the Austrian and Russian empires shaped the opportunities and limitations for professional association activities. The research demonstrates that the emergence of early professional organizations was not only a response to local socio-economic needs but also a reflection of broader political and cultural transformations, laying the foundations for the future Ukrainian trade union movement.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis of historical and state factors that influenced the formation of the first professional associations on Ukrainian lands in the 18th–19th centuries. For the first time, the research systematically examines the combined impact of socio-political reforms, external political circumstances such as the partitions of Poland, and demographic and cultural transformations on the organization of workers’, peasants’, and intellectuals’ associations. The study also highlights the role of Austrian administrative and educational policies in Eastern Ga­licia as a significant catalyst for social mobilization and self-organization, providing new insights into the foundations of the early Ukrainian trade union movement.

The practical significance of the study lies in its potential to inform contemporary research and practice in the fields of labor relations, trade union development, and civil society formation in Ukraine. By analyzing historical experiences of professional association formation, the research provides insights into the factors that facilitate or hinder social organization and collective action. The findings can be applied in educational programs, policy development, and the improvement of strategies for strengthening trade unions and other professional organizations, as well as in promoting social solidarity and protecting workers’ rights in modern Ukraine.

The study concludes that the formation of the first professional associations on Ukrainian lands in the 18th–19th centuries was shaped by a combination of historical, political, social, and economic factors. State reforms, external political circumstances, and cultural transformations created conditions for social mobilization and the or­ga­nization of workers’, peasants’, and intellectuals’ associations.

Keywords: trade unions, trade union movement, Eastern Galicia, history of civic organizations, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Austria, periodicals, printers, press.

doi: 10.32403/0554-4866-2025-2-90-227-237


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