ASTRA’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE EARLY 1900s Cover Image

ASTRA’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE EARLY 1900s
ASTRA’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE EARLY 1900s

Author(s): Vlad Popovici
Subject(s): History
Published by: Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai
Keywords: cultural associations; Transylvania; Hungary; early 20th century; civil society; prosopography.

Summary/Abstract: Astra’s Membership in the Early 1900s. The study continues and develops the research initiated by V. Moga at the beginning of the 2000s regarding Astra’s members in the period of 1913-1920, through a chronological extension towards the beginning of the century and a more detailed analysis of the evolutions during the First World War. After the Association went through a period of stabilization of the number of its members in the first years of the 20th century, starting with 1906, partially as an effect of the festive moment represented by the inauguration of the “Astra Museum” in the previous year, a period of growth followed, reaching its peak in 1912, one year after the 50 year jubilee. The combined effect of the extinguishment of interest after the festive moment and that of the breakout of the war caused a consistent recoil, which ended only in 1916, as a result of the efforts of the Association’s leadership at all levels, however only the year of 1919 brought a return to the pre-war situation. From the point of view of the composition and of the profile of the body of members, it is obvious that Astra has mobilized the individual and institutional energies of all of the Romanian socio-professional layers, a significant share being held by the clergy, lawyers and banking institutions, followed by teachers and professors, “owners” (of mines, of farms, etc.), the body of petty functionaries, the doctors and pharmacists, officers, craftsmen and merchants, and, definitely, the peasants – the latter dominating a particular lower category, that of the “helping members”, which included several thousands of persons. Women represented a relatively discreet presence within Astra, their number and percentage remaining low before 1919, and seeming to be often linked to the presence of their male partners.

  • Issue Year: 63/2018
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 36-61
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: English
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