Cultural and Socio-political Factors Affecting the Occurrence of the Plague Epidemic in Right-bank Ukraine and South-western Provinces of Russia at the turn of the 19th Century Cover Image

Czynniki kulturowe i społeczno-polityczne wpływające na występowanie epidemii dżumy na obszarze Prawobrzeżnej Ukrainy i południowo-zachodnich guberni Rosji na przełomie XVIII i XIX w.
Cultural and Socio-political Factors Affecting the Occurrence of the Plague Epidemic in Right-bank Ukraine and South-western Provinces of Russia at the turn of the 19th Century

Author(s): Olga Gaidai, Tadeusz Srogosz
Subject(s): History, Social Sciences, Sociology, Local History / Microhistory, Health and medicine and law, 18th Century, 19th Century
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: epidemic conditions; plague; Right-bank Ukraine; south-western provinces of Russia; turn of the 19th century

Summary/Abstract: The plague epidemics in Right-bank Ukraine and south-western provinces of Russia at the turn of the 19th century were caused by deficiencies in maintaining social distance and inadequate crisis management. The inadequate social distancing was caused by ongoing wars and civil unrest. The first outbreaks of the plague occurred in the territory of the Turkish state, from where it spread to Right-bank Ukraine, as well as to the provinces of the Russian Empire as a result of mobility caused mainly by wars, trade and other phenomena causing population migration (such as mercenary work). After the annexation of the Black Sea territories to Russia, returning soldiers and sailors often unwittingly brought plague from the infected south to the cities and towns of central Russia. The spread of the plague epidemic was facilitated by the efforts of the Russian commanders to limit supply disruptions to the army fighting the Turks. With the effective work of the various branches of the modern administration and the centralized management of the crisis in Right-bank Ukraine, the outbreaks were quickly contained to only a few areas. These circumstances were even more evident in the southwestern provinces of Russia, with a strong central government and its local ties.

  • Issue Year: 2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 11-26
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish