Review article
Economic and Traffic Conditions in the County of Virovitica in the Time of the Great District Prefect Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Kata Ivić
; Ekonomski fakultet Sveučilišta Josip Juraj Strossmayer, Osijek
Abstract
After eastern Croatia was liberated from Turkish occupation the area was under military administration until 1737. Civilian authorities were established only in 1745 when civilian and military territories were clearly separated. Counties had been in existence in Croatia from 12th century on, and at that time there were three counties (Zagreb, Varaždin and Gorska County). Virovitica County was established through separation from the Varaždin County. These were difficult times for eastern Croatia, recently liberated from the Turkish rule. At that time, Croatia was devastated and impoverished by the Turks in every respect (in economic, demographic, cultural, and other terms). With the establishment of counties and civil authorities there was a gradual return of civil and economic life into Slavonia.
In 1750 the county seat was moved from Virovitica to Osijek.
In 1861 Josip Šokčević was appointed ban (Vice-Roy). That same year, on 5 January
1861 the following dignitaries were appointed as county prefects:
- Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer for Virovitica County,
- Ivan pl. Kukuljević for Zagreb County,
- Ivan Nepomuk count Erdödy for Varaždin County,
- Count Julije Janković for Požega County,
- Count Petar Pejačević for Srijem County.
County prefects were appointed by the King. They were in charge of administrative, judiciary and military affairs in their counties, but the counties were subordinate to the Croatian ban, i.e. to the Parliament in all administrative and financial affairs. In those times, more than 85% of population depended on agriculture for their subsistence. After 1848, Croatian ban Josip Jelačić abolished serfdom, so during the administration of ban Josip Šokčević and prefect Josip Juraj Strossmayer, new rural and agricultural relations started to emerge in Virovitica County as well. At that time, Slavonia witnessed the creation of large estates (private, church-owned, public), but also the preparations for railroad construction, new factories and roads. These were the first steps in the industrialisation of Croatian economy, urbanisation, establishment of an education system and cultural institutions.
Keywords
county; economy; county prefect; Croatia; history
Hrčak ID:
21808
URI
Publication date:
27.12.2007.
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