Modernisierung in der preußischen Provinz?

English summary: In this volume, Dirk Mellies is concerned with the role of the Prussian state and society in the moderization process that took place in the 19th century. He begins with the Prussian province of Pomerania, considered the "backwoods" of its day, and shows how it figured in the various sections of the Prussian state and society during the moderization process of the 19th century. Emphasis is placed on three fields of study: erection of a school system, expansion of...
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English summary: In this volume, Dirk Mellies is concerned with the role of the Prussian state and society in the moderization process that took place in the 19th century. He begins with the Prussian province of Pomerania, considered the "backwoods" of its day, and shows how it figured in the various sections of the Prussian state and society during the moderization process of the 19th century. Emphasis is placed on three fields of study: erection of a school system, expansion of infrastructure and development of structures of civil society, each of which furthered or hindered progress in that territory. The author also shows that the usual cliches about this province in East Elbia are not completely without foundation, although they must be modified considerably. German text. German description: Pommern galt zeitgenossisch als eine der ruckstandigsten Regionen der preussischen Monarchie. Diese Wahrnehmung wurde von der Geschichtswissenschaft willig aufgegriffen, bestatigte sie doch die gangige Einschatzung eines in der Vormoderne verharrenden Ostelbiens. Die Studie untersucht den auch in Pommern stattfindenden Modernisierungsprozess. Anhand der Untersuchungsfelder Hebung des Schulwesens, Ausbau der Infrastruktur und Entfaltung zivilgesellschaftlicher Strukturen beleuchtet sie, wie sich fordernde und hemmende Tendenzen auf die verschiedenen staatlichen Instanzen einerseits und die Gesellschaft andererseits verteilten. Dirk Mellies zeigt, dass das gangige Klischee uber die ostelbische Provinz zwar nicht widerlegt, doch erheblich modifiziert werden muss.