| Abstract [eng] |
The XIX th century was a period when major changes began to take place in the society. The before functional social system began to show signs of instability. The gaps between the castes began to shrink, and the abolition of serfdom ideologically went against the principles of castes. Already prominent ideas of egalitarianism found new meaning, as a new caste – intelligentsia, which consisted of educated township or peasantry inhabitants, began to take shape. Although previously belonging to the social elite, the role of Nobility began to decrease and overtime it became more of a marginal group, but still maintained its relevance throughout the interwar period. The main questions of this thesis are: What led to the change of the role that Nobility played in the society, what was the nobility’s reaction to these changes, what was the society’s point of view in regards to the nobility and what influence all of this had towards the transformation of nobility‘s identity. The relevancy of this thesis can be justified with two aspects. First of all research of social identity during the interwar period is very fragmented, and the same can be said about the social identity of the nobility, as there is little research done on this subject and it is only being discussed in relevance to other topics. Secondly, the situation of nobility during the interwar period is also relevant today; the organizations of nobility during the interwar period influenced the nobilities of today that assembled the “Lithuanian royal union of nobility”, and the search for noble roots are at an all-time high. The object of this research – Social identification of nobility. The main objective – Analysis of the change in the role and identity that the Lithuanian nobility went through during the interwar period. In order to reach these objectives the following tasks have been raised: To find out what were the main factors that influenced the change of the nobility’s role. To identify the main traits of nobilities (self)identification. To analyze the nobilities organizational methods. To identify the main features of the nobility’s relationship with society. In order to reach the main objectives of this thesis the following research methods have been used: Descriptive method, the analysis of scientific sources and literature, discourse analysis method. The change in the nobilities social role during the XIX-XXth century was influenced by major social changes, the First World War and its outcome, and the countries social-economic policies. The most two prominent aspects for nobility identification were: private property and pro-Polish attitude (in a cultural way), threats to abolish these ideals generated the nobilities resentment towards Lithuania and its people. The nobility’s unwillingness to comply with other social systems was also influential. In an effort to defend its interests and staying influential in the society, together with the factors that influenced group identity, the nobility took part in national-cultural activities or political origin. The society’s relationship with the nobility was full of antagonism, and was filled with tension and conflicts. The nobility itself was not homogenic so its members adapted to the modern society in different ways. Part of the nobility turned to the Lithuanian way and chose the identity of Lithuanian, the other part of the nobility sought to maintain its cultural pro-Polish attitude and social status, and thus did not conform to the conditions dictated by the state. There was also a part of the nobility that stood in-between Lithuanian and Polish identities – while choosing to identify as a Lithuanian citizens, they still maintained their pro-Polish views. |
