Everyday Life of the Home Front: Crime and Law Enforcement Measures in Uzhhorod between 1916 and 1918

Abstract

The study examines the state of public security and crime in the city of Uzhhorod during the years of the First World War, with special attention to the measures implemented by the police and local administration. The period between 1916 and 1918 marked the peak of economic and social crises within the Austro–Hungarian Monarchy. Various economic restrictions (such as the rationing system and meatless days) and general instability led to a nationwide increase in crime rates. This process also affected relatively smaller cities such as Uzhhorod. Contemporary police sources indicate a sharp rise in criminal activity within the city. Objective. The paper investigates how wartime conditions influenced the evolution of crime, social relations, and other aspects of everyday urban life amid the military conflict. It also presents the responses and strategies employed by the Uzhhorod police to curb criminal activity. The main aim is to reveal how wartime economic and social tensions impacted public security, what new forms of criminal behaviour emerged, and how the local law enforcement apparatus reacted to these developments. Special attention is given to the citizen’s survival strategies and the characteristics of cooperation between the police and local administration. Methods. The study is based on contemporary archival sources preserved in the Berehove Branch of the State Archives of the Transcarpathian Region. Of particular relevance is Fond No. 7, containing the records of the Uzhhorod City Council’s Mayor’s Office. These primary sources enable a detailed reconstruction of crime trends, policing practices, and social responses, as well as their statistical analysis. Results. The findings indicate that during the war years the structure and intensity of crime underwent significant changes. Economic hardships led to a rise in property crimes, various forms of black-market activity appeared, and women became increasingly involved in criminal practices. While the police often acted in an ad hoc manner, their efforts nevertheless contributed to maintaining social order and the functioning capacity of the local administration. Conclusions. The case of Uzhhorod demonstrates that in the wartime hinterland, administrative and policing measures were aimed not only at suppressing crime but also at maintaining social stability. The interactions between the urban community and the authorities prove that local law enforcement played a key role in ensuring the everyday functioning of wartime society. Contribution Statement. This article contributes to the historiography of wartime urban policing by introducing a micro-level analysis of archival crime records from Uzhhorod