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The Rise and Decline of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth due to Grain Trade

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  • Olszewski, Krzysztof

Abstract

In this paper I present the cause of the rise and decline of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The main driving force was Polish grain trade over the Baltic. At the beginning, Polish grain was vital for Western Europe thus the Commonwealth was able to make significant profits and obtain economical growth. However, once the cultivation of grain was not any more profitable, the Commonwealth missed to adopt its economy to the new situation and fell behind. I present the main political and sociological background that caused this process and give some facts on the town structure that also played an important role.

Suggested Citation

  • Olszewski, Krzysztof, 2007. "The Rise and Decline of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth due to Grain Trade," MPRA Paper 68805, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jan 2016.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:68805
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. M. Malowist, 1959. "The Economic And Social Development Of The Baltic Countries From The Fifteenth To The Seventeenth Centuries," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 12(2), pages 177-189, December.
    2. Millward, Robert, 1982. "An Economic Analysis of the Organization of Serfdom in Eastern Europe," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 42(3), pages 513-548, September.
    3. Karl Loewe, 1973. "Commerce and Agriculture in Lithuania," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 26(1), pages 23-37, February.
    4. Domar, Evsey D., 1970. "The Causes of Slavery or Serfdom: A Hypothesis," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 30(1), pages 18-32, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; Grain Trade; Baltic Trade; Economic Growth and Decline.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N53 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N93 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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