ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the experiences of Polish refugees from Galicia during World War I in Salzburg, specifically focusing on the period 1914/1915. Galicia formed a theater of war which compelled inhabitants to abandon their homes, mostly directing them toward the internal parts of the Habsburg Empire which became a hub for those who had been displaced, evacuated, or had escaped. While some refugees ended up in camps, others remained outside and forged direct contact with the local population. Prior to the state’s implementation of effective humanitarian aid mechanisms, self-organization within the local community and among refugees was crucial. The chapter scrutinizes the role of authorities among both the local population and refugees, investigating how these forces collaborated to provide effective humanitarian assistance. Additionally, it delves into how authorities influenced the shaping of public opinion and attitudes toward war refugees. The analysis also encompasses the actions of self-organizing committees, emphasizing their significance in providing assistance at the local level and influencing public opinion. All of the presented arguments will be based on a micro-scale analysis that occurred during WWI (mostly at the beginning: 1914/1915), aiming to understand the mechanisms of humanitarian agency from below before the state authorities created these tools. Moreover, it examines how people were mobilized on both sides: among refugees to establish aid committees and among the residents, inspired by local authorities at the time.
