Die deutsche Einwanderung in Ungarn unter Joseph II. Ursachen, Folgen und gesamtmonarchische Zusammenhänge

Abstract

Historical research has not yet adequately answered why there was a large-scale, state-organized settlement of German colonists under Joseph II between 1784 and 1787. Previous studies recognize the only reason for this in the low population density generally characterizing the eastern half of the Habsburg Monarchy. In the present study, the causes and consequences of immigration are placed in overall monarchical contexts and examined. This study concludes that state sponsored immigration of German settlers was no priority of the monarch under the reign of Joseph II. The emperor wanted to reform the contemporary agricultural relations in Hungary too but the strong resistance of the Hungarian nobility resulted that he could not introduce the Raab system in contrast to Czechland and Moravia. The subdivision of state lands directed a part of the German migration to Galicia. The German migration helped him to reach two goals. First, it increased the number of peasant workers; second, a portion of state lands became peasant-owned. The subdivision was only an episode on the way to a new agricultural system. It did not reach the significance of other edicts for instance the abolition of serfdom in 1785. However, its beneficial social and economic effects became clear in the long run.