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Bürger- und Beisassenrecht. Die rechtspolitische Steuerung der Immigration im frühneuzeitlichen Frankfurt am Main

Bürger- und Beisassenrecht. Die rechtspolitische Steuerung der Immigration im frühneuzeitlichen Frankfurt am Main
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Year:    2017

Author:    Breustedt, Sonja

Zeitschrift für Historische Forschung, Vol. 44 (2017), Iss. 4 : pp. 597–633

Abstract

Burghers versus Beisassen. Legal-Policy Regulation on Immigration in Early Modern Frankfurt am Main

The article examines the immigration of religious and economic refugees to the imperial city of Frankfurt between the mid-16th century and the end of the 18th century. The study focuses on the evolution of legal conditions that determined how someone could become a burgher or a Beisasse, a person with less civil rights. It considers, whether the council granted citizenship in a way that reflected the economic and religious situation in the city.

The analysis of the relevant sources reveals that the city was economically dependent on immigrants in the beginning of the 16th century. Eventually, this changed and the immigrants moved into direct competition with the local population. Moreover, many poor labourers migrating to Frankfurt burdened the social system. To stabilize the position of the local population, the council changed the conditions under which the status of Beisasse could be granted in 1585 and accepted only wealthy people as burghers and Beisassen. Furthermore, the restrictions were religiously motivated. From 1628 onwards, Frankfurt did not accept members of the Reformed Church either as burghers or as Beisassen. In 1732, the imperial city completely prohibited the Beisassen. At this point, the citizenship could be obtained only by marriage. Throughout the considered period of almost two hundred years, the council significantly reduced access to citizenship, which initially had been open to anyone, and nearly abolished the Beisitz after having generously opened it. The councils regulatory measures protected the local population as well as it improved the financial resources of the city.

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Journal Article Details

Publisher Name:    Global Science Press

Language:    German

DOI:    https://doi.org/10.3790/zhf.44.4.597

Zeitschrift für Historische Forschung, Vol. 44 (2017), Iss. 4 : pp. 597–633

Published online:    2017-12

AMS Subject Headings:    Duncker & Humblot

Copyright:    COPYRIGHT: © Global Science Press

Pages:    37

Keywords:    Abhandlungen und Aufsätze History Geschichte Histoire

Author Details

Breustedt, Sonja