Why you would take
this class if you are interested in economics and political science
We explore the
late 15th and 16th centuries, during which period the
Duchy of Saxony was split into the Albertine and Ernestine components. The time is one of great upheaval, which
includes Luther’s reformation, and the great forward pulses in science and art
associated with Renaissance-Humanism.
Miners were
free people, as opposed to farmers and peasants. As a consequence, new orders
and property forms developed, including the first form of shareholding. The
silver and tin mines of the Erzgebirge brought great wealth to Saxony, but also problems of sustainability and of
distribution. The Elector of Saxony – August – was a considerably smart politician,
and we have to thank him for some decisions which influence the way Saxony works until today. Examples of his politics
include the distribution of mining shares to the northern Saxon towns, in order
to motivate them to support the southern mines with food deliveries. We will
read a travel report from 1553 of a mayoral delegation from the northern town
of Delitzsch
which traveled to inspect the mines in which they held shares, giving
interesting descriptions of towns, mines, smelters, etc. Another example is his
controlling influence on the building of smelters and ore processing plants,
which prevented reckless destruction of the Erzgebirge
landscape. Under his governance, Bergstaedte (mountain towns) such as
Marienberg, Annaberg and Schneeberg, were founded and built following a
pre-conceived pattern and plan. He established an official control system of
government offices in order to assure his shares, but also to be able to
sustain the economic wealth flowing from the mines.
View over Annaberg
from the St Annen church tower; old shaft house in Schneeberg
Other items
of political interest may include the Annaberger Bergordnung (Annaberg Mountain
Law), which had become necessary in order to keep mines safe. It regulates
ownership, boundaries and succession of mines. Interestingly enough, it also
has provisions for the families of miners killed or injured in accidents. This
basic mountain law has established the basis for mining laws worldwide,
including most European countries and
even Brazil.
This is particularly interesting, since this basic law has been disregarded by
the mining companies in northern Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
We will find the time to find out exactly what it says and implies.
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