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Lodz History, Poland

Lodz is situated in Central Poland and is the 3rd biggest city in the country. Based on the 2007 census, the city’s population is 753,192. Lodz is the capital of Lodz Voivodeship. Here are some more facts in Lodz History.

Lodz History – Small Settlement

The city of Lodz was first mentioned in a recorded written document dated 1332. This document states that Lodzia, a village, is handed over to the bishops of Wloclawek. The small village was accorded city rights in 1423 by King Wladyslaw Jagiello. From the 14th century up to the 18th century, Lodz lingered as a small community. It was recorded that in the 16th century, the town had less than 800 residents. Most of these people, were working on the neighboring grain farms.

Lodz History – Political Affairs

Poland was divided for the second time in 1793. When this happened, Lodz was integrated to the province of South Prussia, which was under the Kingdom of Prussia. The government of Prussia nationalized Lodz in 1798. As a result, the village lost its position as a town of the Kuyavian bishops. In 1806, the town of Lodz became a part of Warsaw’s Napoleonic Duchy.

Lodz History – Industrial Development

A treaty in 1815 gave out plans to reconstruct the town of Lodz and in 1816 a decree gave permission to German immigrants to construct housing and factories in the town. In 1820, Stanislaw Staszic helped out Lodz in turning the town into an industrial center. Following this modernization, many people from Bohemia, Silesia and Southern Germany started to live in the town.

Cotton mills and steamed power factories started to appear in Lodz. The industrial growth of the town attracted many workers and soon after, Lodz became the textile production center of the Empire of Russia. Soon after, Lodz became the second biggest city of Congress Poland.

Lodz History – The City in the Time of War

During the Lodz Insurrection in 1905, 300 workers were killed by the Tsarist police. When the First World War broke, a chief battle took place near the city which placed it under the German occupation. However, after the war, Poland gained its independence from the German troops. Lodz lost around 40% of its inhabitants due to diseases, drafting, and the German population were compelled to go to Germany.

During the Poland Invasion, the Lodz army defended the city from the German troops. Unfortunately, the Wehrmacht was able to occupy the city. The Nazi built many concentration camps and death camps in Lodz during World War II. By the end of the war, the city’s population greatly decreased. The original residents were replaced by many Germans.

Despite all the hardships however, the city proved to be worth its stature in Poland. Aside from Lodz History, there are other facts you must know about Poland and Europe. These are available via Warsaw History and Poznan History.

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