Historical Journal, Vol. 45 , 1992.
Original scientific paper
EUROPEAN PHYSIOCRATIC MOVEMENT IN SOUTH CROATIA IN THE LAST HALF OF THE XVIIIth CENTURY.
Danica Božić-Bužančić
Abstract
Dalmatia as well as entire Croatia has always been a part of Europe accepting within its possibilities all new ideas and movements. In the second half of the eighteenth century Europe was facing the physiocratic movement whose aim was to improve and revaluate agriculture. Societies for the advancement of agriculture and other economic branches (e. g. in Italy) were found. Similar societies were found even in Russia and in overseas countries. Such movement was indispensable in Croatia and three societies were formed by groups of intellectuals under the name - academies. The first one was found in Split in 1767 with the aim of advancing agriculture, handicrafts and trade being the basis of economy in Dalmatia. In 1788 the "Society of Friends of Agriculture" or the "Agriculture School" was found in Kaštel LukSić near Trogir. It was an institution with characteristics exactly suiting the circumstances in Dalmatia. The illiterate peasant brought up in a traditional culture had to be taught modern skills in agriculture in the vernacular. Baside eminent lectors members of these societies were excellent farmers. The third society of such kind was found in 1787 in Zadar. Members of these academies studiously approached matters the societies dealt with as well as those from other scientific fields. These societies made a very small pace in economy but large however in comparison to their abilities.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
326773
URI
Publication date:
1.5.1993.
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