The development of credit cooperatives in the territories of the Prussian partition in the light of the Reports of the Association of Commercial and Economic Companies for the Poznań Province and West Prussia in the years 1871–1914

Abstract

The concept of cooperation has been known for a long time. However, it was not until the 19th century that the concept of cooperatives reached its mature form. That is, a movement that was supposed not only to satisfy basic existential needs, but also enable the development of an individual and the local community. In a word, it was supposed to secure the needs of the body and develop the potential of the spirit. This can be clearly seen in the example of the lands of the Prussian partition, where the idea of cooperatism developed exceptionally strongly, encompassing many areas of economic and social life. The annually published Sprawozdanie Związku Spółek Zarobkowych i Gospodarczych na Poznańskie I Prusy Zachodnie (Reports of the Association of Commercial and Economic Companies for the Poznań Province and West Prussia) are excellent in showing the development of cooperatives over the years. The data presented there illustrate both the material development of the movement and its constant struggle to promote civic and patriotic attitudes, which was a kind of hallmark of this movement. Growth in both the number of cooperatives and the number of members of individual companies is clearly visible. This proves the positive reception of and trust in this idea. In addition, the growth in the financial potential of this initiative is clearly visible. From small local ventures, which epitomises early cooperatives, this movement has grown into a serious player in the region. Supporting both private ventures and activating a significant part of the Polish community in the fight to maintain independence and national awareness. And all this while repeatedly emphasizing that not profit but the common good is the primary goal of cooperatives.