Garnizon kijowski w społeczno-gospodarczym życiu miasta w XVII - na początku XX w

ENThis article explores various aspects related to the functioning of the Kyiv garrison in the socio-economic life of the city from the 17th to the early 20th century. Following the Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648–1654) and subsequent treaties concluding the Polish-Russian War (1654–1667) – the Treaty of Andrusovo (1667) and the Treaty of Grzymułtowski (1686) – Kyiv separated from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and permanently came under the rule of the Tsars. Despite this political shift, Kyiv remained a vital economic, cultural, and especially military center, serving as a key point in the defense system of the southwestern borders of the Tsardom of Moscow (later the Russian Empire from 1721). The city’s strength was largely determined by its fortifications and the garrison stationed there. Upon assuming control, the Russian authorities promptly began reinforcing the city. In 1706, Tsar Peter I ordered the construction of the modern Pechersk Fortress (Kyiv-Pechersk Fortress). Over the years, the Russian military presence in the fortress grew significantly. Consequently, the city itself underwent gradual Russification, as soldiers, officials of the Tsarist administration, and Russian merchants and industrialists moved in, gradually displacing the predominantly Ukrainian population.The Polish community in Kyiv also played a significant role in the socio-economic landscape of the city and the entire guberniya. Particularly noteworthy were the famous Kyiv Contracts established in the late 18th century, where Poles dominated trade transactions. Throughout the 19th century, Kyiv experienced dynamic economic growth, which was reflected in the increasing population. The fortress itself also evolved, undergoing a complete reconstruction in 1830 by order of Tsar Nicholas I, which led to a rise in the number of soldiers in its garrison, further intertwining the military presence with Kyiv’s economic, social, and cultural development. By the late 19th century, the fortress lost its original military function, becoming more of a fortress-warehouse complex. In the early 20th century, parts of the fortifications were gradually dismantled to accommodate the expanding city. The soldiers stationed there were involved in the revolutionary events of 1917, efforts to establish an independent Ukrainian state, the Russian Civil War, and the Polish-Soviet War of 1919–1921.