Activity of landowners in the industry of the Sieradz district before the First World War

Abstract

In the first half of the 19^th century we can observe considerable activity of landowners in the industry of the Sieradz district (distilleries, brickyards, lumber milles). Fall of the November Revolt coming into existence and then January Revolt and repressions resulting from them undermined the economic potential of owners of properties. The important factor in the second half of the 19^th century stimulating evolution of industry was rural reform and very big employing burgesses mainly of German and Jewish origin. The low activity of landowners in the industrialization of the Sieradz district before the First Word War resulted above all from the specificity of the region (internal weak market), of lack of capital, of real politics from part of tsar’s authority, the proper education, the professionals and mentality and the great competition on the part of burgesses of wealth from administrative Sieradz district and from whole Łódź region. When landowners owned big properties, capitals had wanted for investment in industry too. For example in the 18^th century in Wołyń owners of workshops were great holders of properties of Polish origins exclusively.