Voytenko Y. Elite of Pravoberezhna Ukraine in Russian empire society: political and social condition (1793-1832).

The dissertation explores the development of the public elite of Pravoberezhzhya in the new political and social conditions of the Russian empire. The positions of political, spiritual and cultural elites of Pravoberezhzhya are analyzed. The research work demonstrates well-to-do shlyahta (Polish gentry) and Russian gentry formed the basis of the political elite of the region; orthodox clergy being the bearer of the state system and spirituality, made up the spiritual elite; the intelligentsia of Pravoberezhzhya represented Polish culture and was the basic constituent of the culture elite until the beginning of the XIX century. This research work further traces the acquisition of privileges by the gentry within new political conditions owing to the fact that they acquired the status of the noble Russian gentry. It depicts the fact that with the acquisition of this noble status, the local shlyahta (Polish gentry) played a leading role in everyday life in Pravoberezhzhya society up until the Polish revoltof 1830-1831, after which the social structure of Pravoberezhzhya became imperial in accordance with Russian law.