Die Schaffung von Kulturlandschaft im Südosten Ungarns. Die Rolle des Tabakanbaus 1749–1819

Hegyi, Ádám Alex (2023) Die Schaffung von Kulturlandschaft im Südosten Ungarns. Die Rolle des Tabakanbaus 1749–1819. Yearbook of the Society for 18th Century Studies on South Eastern Europe, 5.. 48-62.. ISSN 2707-6091

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Abstract

Tobacco cultivation first spread in the Kingdom of Hungary in the 18th century. Because the kingdom had become a barren wasteland after the Turkish wars of the 17th century, the Habsburg rulers considered it an important task to reorganize agriculture. The introduction of tobacco played a significant role in this, as it is a crop that can grow in marshy areas. The economic recovery of the country was a prime political goal, but in some cases, religious issues could override economic motives. Large numbers of laborers were needed to cultivate the land, but Protestant settlers were not welcome in the country. Tobacco-growing villages were not considered permanent settlements. Gardeners signed a lease with the landowner, but there was no guarantee that they would renew it when the lease expired. It was common for gardeners to have to demolish their houses and churches. This study examines how Reformed tobacco gardening villages were established while the Habsburgs' religious policy strictly forbade the establishment of new Protestant parishes until 1781. While economic history has long been aware of the economic importance of the tobacco garden villages founded in the 18th century, no one has addressed the role of religion in the establishment of these villages. We know that in 1749, Reformed tobacco gardeners organized Békéssámson as a new settlement. However, we know nothing about state interference: why Reformed tobacco gardeners were allowed to settle in Sámson when they have driven away from Csany just 40 km north. Following the issuance of the Patent of Toleration in 1781, the number of Reformed tobacco gardening villages in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Hungary also increased. Despite the proclamation of religious freedom, forming Reformed congregations was still not easy. This analysis shows how the situation of Reformed tobacco garden villages was stabilized and what happened to those settlements that were liquidated for religious reasons.

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