Zala megye gazdasága a Trianon utáni évtizedben

Kaposi, Zoltán (2023) Zala megye gazdasága a Trianon utáni évtizedben. AGRÁRTÖRTÉNETI SZEMLE, 59 (1-4). pp. 47-74. ISSN 0002-1105

Preview

Text Kaposi_Z.pdf - Published Version Download (489kB) | Preview

Abstract

This study examines what economic changes took place in Zala County in the decade following the Treaty of Trianon. Prior to World War I the county was primarily agriculture oriented. Apart from two cities (with their own councils) and a few large villages the decisive majority of the population lived in small villages. Significant industrial capacities existed only in Nagykanizsa. The events after World War I created a specifically grim situation for the population of the county. The loss of Muraköz (Medimurje) meant significant population loss decreased market opportunities. The new borders created elementary boundaries for merchants of Zala County. Due to hyperinflation and decrease in real wages, demand dropped in the first part of the 1920s. Many industrial and trading businesses ceased to operate. This situation started to change about 1922–23 when more signs were pointing to stabilisation and development. In this process the implementation of the land reform had a role, which provided minimum sized lands to thousands of penniless people. The import substitution industrialisation economic policy gave opportunities for entrepreneurs of the county for industrial production. There were more and more industrial innovations which led to new economic activities. Cities could do a lot with initiation of publicly funded construction projects to eliminate the problems. The use of the Speyer Loans led to urban infrastructural investments. Our examinations show that the first few years of the decade were mostly about difficulties, but the following years were – especially for industrial entrepreneurs – about perspectives. This obviously did not change the fact that Zala County remained rural. The boom did not last long: the depression of 1929 brought new difficulties for the farmers of the county.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item