From “Press for People” to “People’s Press” – the Evolution of Polish Journals in the Austrian Partition

Abstract

The paper aims at the exploration of the origins and range of publishing services for rural communities in the Austrian partition. Observation of changes that resulted in the evolution from „press for people” to „people’s press” is of particular importance in studying the publishing market. The latter is defined as the press dominated by political content. Due to its autonomy, less censorship pressure, and journalistic activities of outstanding editors, Galicia contributed to the development of first political parties. Galician journals at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century present changes and pressures which took place in the developing people’s movement. The main theme linking many journals was the development of rural communities’ attitudes towards the fight to regain independence. However, they varied in their vision of future Poland. The first important titles for women working on farms were established within this territory. Christian values were the main topic discussed in journals for women. In general, in the beginning journals published in the Austrian partition mostly offered educational, social and religious content, followed by the political, which finally dominated the press market.