Historia przemysłowej Łodzi – eksplozja potęgi fabrycznego miasta | prof. Kamil Śmiechowski

📖 Discover our publishing house: https://radionaukowe.pl/wydawnictwo 📚 Convenient book shopping: https://wydawnictwoRN.pl 🎧 Use the discount code for audiobooks: sluchamRN 👉 Become a Patron: https://patronite.pl/radionaukowe 👉 Make a one-time donation: https://suppi.pl/radionaukowe 🎧 Listen on streaming: https://ffm.bio/radionaukowe 🔔 Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@RadioNaukowe?sub... 🌐 Website: https://radionaukowe.pl 👍 Facebook:   / radionaukowe   📷 Instagram:   / radionaukowe   ❌ Twitter:   / radionaukowe   🎓 Visit LAMU:    / @letniaakademiamlodychumyslow   🎬 See more:    • Radio Naukowe poleca   📩 Contact: [email protected] Łódź's development history is unusual for Poland, even somewhat American. Within a few decades of the 19th century, it grew from a farming town into a thriving industrial center, a cultural melting pot where, by the end of the century, a modern society was being rapidly shaped. I spoke with Professor Kamil Śmiechowski, a historian from the University of Łódź, about the phenomenon of industrial Łódź. The idea to establish a factory settlement in Łódź (but also in other nearby cities, such as Zgierz and Gostynin) arose when these areas were part of the Congress Kingdom, an autonomous entity within the Russian Empire. Congress Poland was economically weak, so the authorities sought opportunities to strengthen its economy, and its textile industry required relatively little investment. Congress Poland also had an army with a high demand for fabrics. One of the most important figures of this period was Rajmund Rembieliński, personally responsible for the initial development of Łódź (and other settlements, which he did not quite so spectacularly). In 1821, right next to the tiny town of Łódź, a modern New Town was laid out (its axis being the still-famous Piotrkowska Street), the industrial settlement of Łódka, and a site for the construction of large industrial plants on the Jasień River – Stanisław Staszic himself was amazed by Łódź's hydrological conditions! Settlers were brought in to work, coming from various parts of Europe (Germany, Bohemia, Silesia, the Netherlands), but they had one thing in common. "They tend to be people of German-speaking culture," the historian explains. From the mid-19th century, a massive migration of Polish rural population to Łódź took place, and the ethnic structure changed. Poles make up roughly 50% of the population, primarily workers and the intelligentsia (e.g., lawyers). Jews make up about 30% of the population, while Germans make up 20%. The city is characterized by profound social stratification. Over the past few decades, the fortunes of a few industrialists have been consolidated, the most famous being Karol Scheibler and Izrael Poznański. The state practices far-reaching laissez-faire in Łódź: there are no public schools or hospitals, and even the city tram is a private enterprise. The industrialists are responsible for organizing daycare and healthcare for workers. These are the same ones who, however, skimp on wages. They build houses for workers, which only accommodate a few, the most qualified. The rest make ends meet by renting a room in the city (or even a bed for shifts!). Overcrowding is rampant, and workers earn meager wages. "We're dealing with a city that's definitely a ticking time bomb," my interlocutor points out. At the same time, it's a magnet, because living conditions are still better than in the poor, overpopulated countryside. A completely different community is emerging here: independent, less patriarchal, open, and adaptable to change. As soon as political conditions change for the better, rapid social and civilizational development occurs in the interwar period. In this episode, you'll also hear about the multiculturalism of Łódź, where you can still find remnants of former industrial powerhouses, why in the 1970s textile workers worked on English machines from the early 19th century, what American traits are exhibited by the inhabitants of contemporary Łódź, and what Reymont is being criticized for. I highly recommend it! This episode is the result of Radio Naukowe's 13th trip, to Łódź, of course. We've brought you five interviews in total. 00:00 Introduction 01:41 The Beginning of Łódź's History as an Industrial City 05:00 The Impact of Politics on the Development of Industrial Settlements 11:02 The Autonomous Government of the Kingdom of Poland 13:39 Why the Textile Industry? Łódź's Success Compared to Other Cities 17:56 Rajmund Rembieliński - Father of Industrial Łódź 22:01 What Did Łódź Look Like in 1821? 26:11 Rivers of Łódź 29:14 Machinery 32:31 Who Lived in Industrial Łódź? 39:23 What Was the Polish Elite Preoccupied with? The Largest Industrial Families 46:25 Exploitation of Workers or Social Activism? 52:01 Strikes and protests - the life of workers 58:23 Population boom and illiter...