The history of the textile industry in Cottbus: From the beginnings to the deindustrialization in Lusatia

The development of the textile industry in Cottbus reflects the city’s economic and social history over several centuries. From the first approaches in the Middle Ages to the heyday in the 19th and 20th centuries, the industry had a significant impact on the city and helped determine its identity. But in the course of global economic changes and increasing globalizationThis once significant industry has almost completely pushed back in recent decades. This article follows the main stages of this development, its importance for the Lausitz and the profound changes the region has experienced.

The beginnings and the early heyday of the textile industry in Cottbus

Flander weavers in the Lusatia began to settle in Cottbus as early as the 12th century. Their arrival marked the beginning of a long tradition of textile manufacturing in the region. In the 14th century, the privileges that Hans von Cottbus gave the weaver guilds laid the foundations for a flourishing cloth industry. These privileges confirmed the importance ofbusiness for the city and secured exclusive rights for the weavers. Over time, the craft has been strongly influenced by the knowledge and skills of the Flander weavers. The production of wool and flax for personal use was common in rural areas at the time, but textile manufacturing became a major industry in Cottbus. The location on the Spree and thefavorable climatic conditions promoted production. The sheep’s pastures were large, and sheep’s wool became a sought-after commodity. Areas for the cultivation of the flax were developed between Cottbus and Lübben in order to supply the textile industry with raw materials. The division of labor in the cloth making trade was already widespread in the 14th century. Leineweber madeCoarse, undyed fabrics for everyday farming at low prices, while the cloth makers produced fibrous, refined fabrics that met the demands of urban culture. This interaction was a significant factor in the production.

The development of the guilds and the importance of privileges

On May 11, 1405, the so-called “Gewädermacherprivileg” was certified in Cottbus, which gave the guild of cloth makers and linen weavers special rights. It is the oldest documented testimony of a guild in the city. The privileges that Luther von Cottbus confirmed on June 1, 1443 continued to secure exclusive rights for the weavers and cloth makers and contributed to the stability of the tradeat Especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, textile production was an important economic factor. The privilege granted in 1501 for the implementation of two wool markets showed the enormous importance of the location for the trade in raw materials and finished products. The sheep breeders from Lower Lusatia were able to sell their wool here, which strengthened the regional economy. Cottbuser Clothswere in demand in numerous countries, including Bohemia, Saxony and Brandenburg. The heyday of the textile industry was repeatedly interrupted by crises. The Thirty Years’ War led to almost complete destruction of the trade. Only the arrival of Huguenot religious refugees after 1701 brought a new upswing. Through her expertise and manpower, theClothmaking in Cottbus another revival. The economic importance of the industry grew significantly in the early 18th century, and Cottbus products found buyers in Denmark, Sweden, Alsace and even overseas. The production was heavily dependent on the supply of raw materials, the climate and the expansion areas for flat cultivation and sheep farming, which was emphasized by the location advantages of the city.

Industrial Change in the 18th and 19th Century

Before the industrial revolution, the production of yarns and fabrics in Cottbus was mainly hand-in-hand. Several spinners were necessary to provide the weavers with sufficient yarn. With the introduction of the “Schnellschützen”, a flying weaver’s boat, the production method shifted fundamentally. The relationship between spinners and weavers changed, and theDemand for yarn increased significantly. As early as 1726, the settlement of Saxon woolly spirals outside the city was decided to create better workshops. Initially, the building faltered, but in March 1752 Frederick the Great ordered the construction of six woolly spinning houses. The tanners’ houses on the Mühlgraben were built first, followed by other buildings. By 1759 were the spinning housesCompleted, which significantly strengthened the industrial base for textile production in Cottbus. The 18th century was characterized by state privileges and tax breaks that attracted foreign weavers and spinners. Friedrich Wilhelm I limited the number of masters who were allowed to settle in the city, but privileges such as tax exemption and travel expenses still attractednumerous foreign workers. Production grew, and the city experienced a phase of economic growth. In 1759, a major cloth merchant generated ten times its income compared to the mayor. The support of the Prussian Crown, especially through granting privileges, contributed significantly to the textile industry in Cottbus.to strengthen the use of the present During the 19th century, the industry experienced several ups and downs. There were setbacks during the Napoleonic Wars, but after the wars of liberation, production was further enlivened by the founding of the German Customs Association. Industrialization began, and in 1816 the first steam-powered wool yarn spinning mill was founded in Cottbus, which is the transitionfrom traditional crafts to machine manufacturing. William Cockerill, an English entrepreneur, played a significant role in the introduction of steam technology in the region and drove industrial development forward. By 1843, several steam spinning mills existed in Cottbus, which significantly increased production and raised the textile industry to a new level.

Technological progress and social changes in the 19th century

The introduction of mechanical looms, the use of hydropower and the strengthening of industrial infrastructure changed the city’s image fundamentally. William Cockerill installed the first wool spinning machine in Belgium back in 1799, and his name became synonymous with technological innovations in the textile industry. Production was increasingly machine-based, and the number ofLooms steadily rose. Mechanized fabrication led to many weavers and spinners giving up their independence and working in factories. In 1833, only 133 weavers worked independently in Cottbus, most of the workers were working in specialized companies. In the second half of the 19th century, large factories were built, which were built along the Spree and inthe districts of Ostrow and Parzellenstrasse. The increased use of steam engines, the introduction of electric drives and the further development of textile machines drove production further forward. The expansion of the transport network, in particular the connection to the railway network, made the transport of raw materials and finished products much easier. In addition to the classicTextile production also came into being in Cottbus factories for technical textiles, carpets, linen and canvas. The textile industry became one of the most important sectors of the region in the region.

Importance for Lusatia: From flower to deindustrialization

The importance of the textile industry for Lusatia can hardly be overestimated. For centuries it was the economic basis of the region and had a significant impact on social life. The numerous factories that shaped the city and the surrounding areas offered jobs for thousands of people and created a social community around the trade. the citydeveloped into an important industrial location, which became known both through the production of high-quality cloths and through the innovations in textile technology. The trades have a sustainable influence on the infrastructure, culture and social development of Lausitz. But in the course of 20th century reunification, a sudden but irreversibledecline. In the course of reunification, most of the farms in Cottbus were handled and mostly sold below value. Numerous plants were sold and many jobs were lost. This deindustrialization has hit the Lusatia severely, and the once important textile industry is no longer in Cottbus today. The deindustrialization left aprofound economic and social crisis. Many factories were closed, thousands of jobs were lost, and the region had to take a long way of reorientation. Today, the once important textile industry in Cottbus is only a memory, but its influence on the history and development of Lusatia remains unforgotten.