ПОЛІТИЧНІ МАНІФЕСТАЦІЇ У ЛЬВОВІ З ПРИВОДУ «СПРАВИ ХОЛМЩИНИ» У 1909 і 1912 РОКАХ.

The article shows how Polish society and politicians in Lviv reacted to the decision of the Russian Duma to separate the territory of the Kholm region from the Kingdom of Poland. How Lviv, using Austrian law, maintained the status of «Polish Piedmont», and the course of demonstrations in 1909 and 1912 are covered. In 1909, a rally took place in Lviv, first in the courtyard of the Town Hall and then near the monument to Adam Mickiewicz. During this demonstration, Polish activists protested against the possible separation of the Kholm region from the rest of the territory of the Kingdom of Poland. And in 1912, when the Duma made a decision, there was a series of protests. At first, students gathered in the city center, trying to break into the building of the Russian consulate but were brutally dispersed by police. Then young people and politicians protested against police violence. Finally, a joint rally of Polish leftists and nationalists was organized, at which demonstrators burned a portrait of Tsar Nicholas II. The protests in Lviv, although they could not change the position of the Russian government, would have a strong impact on the political situation in Halychyna. Lviv became not just a «center of free life for the Poles of the divided Commonwealth», but the center of a new Polish expansion to the East. At least, that is how Polish politicians interpreted it. The attitude of Polish politicians towards the Austrian authorities also changed, as the police were no longer considered neutral defenders of order. In this case, when «young people manifested their feelings», their violent dispersal was considered almost an attack on everything Polish. And most importantly – the events of 1912 showed a radical change in mass politics. When unauthorized pickets, marches, or rallies were held on the streets instead of the meetings allowed by the authorities. 

 rally, demonstration, socialists, nationalists.