Zjednoczone Koła Zjazdów Rolniczych – organizacja ziemian wschodniogalicyjskich (1905–1914)

Abstract

In 1905 in Lviv, the Circle of Agricultural Congresses was established – an informal association initiated by the politician and economist Jan Emanuel Rozwadowski. Its goal was to involve middle landowners in joining self-education activities, in developing their agricultural and economic interests. Soon, the small organization was transformed into The United Circles of Agricultural Congresses – a formally operating society which, apart from the aforementioned ones, also set itself the task of coordinated work in social and economic institutions of Galicia and shaping their policy following previously developed concepts. Ideologically, The United Circles were influenced by The National Democracy, although environmental leaders, who were also members or sympathizers of the National-Democratic Party, generally camouflaged this influence. The organization managed to achieve significant successes – incl. gain a leading position in the agricultural corporation in Eastern Galicia – The Galician Society of Farming and other important social structures. The activity of The United Circles was de facto ended by the outbreak of World War I, but the members of the association played significant roles among the landowners of Lesser Poland in the Second Polish Republic.