Chernivtsi University During World War I (1914 – 1918)

Abstract

During World War I Chernivtsi like almost all Bukovyna experienced invasion of the Russian army in September and October 1914, November 1914 - February 1915, June 1916 - August 1917, but the war continued until November 1918.

During that invasion Chernivtsi University (established in 1875) didn’t carry out educational activities, the Russian authorities were going to make it Russian-speaking.

When the Austrian administration returned to the city they resumed the academic process in October 1915, but only at the Faculty of Theology (80 students). In mid-May1916 the classes were resumed at all faculties, but a month later due to so-called “Brusilov Offensive”, Chernivtsi was invaded again by the Russian army. Geology and chemistry studies equipment of the Faculty of Philosophy were taken to Russia, the university buildings were transformed into a hotel and restaurant, where the Russian army nurses lived.

During the war, some university professors moved to Austria, others created groups of students volunteering for the Austro-Hungarian army and harvesting work (R.F.Kayndl), others carried out the work in the Austrian camps among Ukrainian POWs of the Russian army encouraging them to serve in Austro-Hungarian army and fight against Russia for the liberation of Ukraine (S. Smal-Stotskz, Z.Kuzelia), some participated in the Austrian and Russian local interim administrations (A.Norst, Rafael Kayndl, S.Sahin, Z.Kuzelia), some (together with Muscophiles) supported the Russian monarchists (V.Milkovych), and some took a neutral position (Romanian theologians).

After the Russian troops’retreat in August 1917, the Austrian authorities began university studies for approximately one thousand students but only at the Faculty of Law. It was planned even to move the University to Salzburg but the rapid invasion of Bukovyna by the troops of royal Romania in November 1918 prevented that. During 1918– 1919 academic year the University functioned as a German-speaking institution, and in October 1918 it became a Romanian-speaking one.

Keywords: Bukovyna,Chernivtsi University,World War I