Přehled o publikaci

The study assesses the contribution of Jewish entrepreneurs to the economic development of Czech lands during the First Czechoslovak Republic and describes their business behavior. It reviews the social-cultural environment from which this group emerged, records the history of major business families from the 19th century to the First Republic, finds some measurable indicators for the integration of these entrepreneurs into the country’s economic structures, and evaluates the contribution of Jewish entrepreneurs in selected sectors. Sources for this study include economic history analysis, local studies, Czech-Jewish publications from studied period, economic publications, Czech National Bank archives, Prague Jewish Museum archives, and other sources. Methodologically, capturing the activity of Jewish entrepreneurs as a whole during this time-frame is challenging. For this reason, the study focuses on those which reached the highest societal levels and assesses their position and contribution within a defined group. It explores how Jewish entrepreneurs operated in various sectors such as textiles, coal, electricity, paper production, and chemicals, introduced innovative products or technologies. Successful Jewish entrepreneurs often brought in foreign technologies to improve production and their competitiveness. However, not all Jewish entrepreneurs were innovative leaders. Some shifted between industries or participated in domestic or international cartels. The ability to access capital, often originating from local trading activities and family finances, also played a crucial role in their success. The Jewish community‘s integration into mainstream society is examined, showcasing their evolving cultural affiliations with the Czech and German environments. The Jewish entrepreneurial class was significantly over-represented within the Jewish population in comparison to the primarily Catholic population of the Czech lands, primarily due to their education, business acumen, and international connections. The study also looks at their role in international trade and the collaboration between Jewish, Czech, and German entrepreneurs during the First Czechoslovak Republic. This reflects how Jewish entrepreneurs from the Czech lands integrated into the mainstream society and contributed significantly to the country’s economic development.