Reclamation edict
The Reclamation Edict was a decree of the Prussian King Friedrich II of July 22, 1765 for East Frisia . The edict declared land with unresolved ownership rights, especially the not yet reclaimed moorland, to the property of the state.
The purpose of the decree was the colonization of bogs . It was also directed against the established farmers who, from Friedrich's point of view, claimed too large areas for themselves due to the old right of extension . At the same time, it led to income for Prussia through the long lease .
Reclamation
description
After Frederick the Great's reclamation edict of July 22, 1765, areas of unused agricultural land that were partially poo were cultivated according to a different scheme. This form of development is called 'moor colonization' in East Friesland, as opposed to fen colonization. The edict declared all unused areas to be state property. Those willing to settle could apply to the office for a colony of the desired size.
conditions
The following conditions were attached to this:
- A house had to be built within a year.
- Half of the area had to be cultivated within 6 years. But these 6 years were tax-free, then a long lease had to be paid for the area. For the construction of the house there was a subsidy in individual offices. The office made minimal infrastructure work with the construction of an access route and the installation of a drainage system, which was necessary to dry out the moored areas. The colonists usually built their house on the highest point of their property to make a dry house possible. This created a completely irregular settlement pattern, due to the irregular, slightly wavy relief of the geest areas.
Examples and procedures
An example of this form of colony is the municipality of Blomberg (district of Wittmund) or the municipality of Moordorf (East Friesland). The colonists usually initially use their moorland to grow buckwheat , which was only possible for a few years. Heathland were dug deep and for the cultivation of rye , oats and potatoes used. Then the peat could be cut as own fuel or for sale. However, it was hardly competitive with the peat from the fen colonies because it had to be transported by cart. By working as day laborers in farms, brickworks or handicraft businesses, a part-time job could be achieved in order to get money. Most of the colonists were heavily in debt, and many emigrated to the US when they could afford the fare.
history
Prussia had therefore given up this form of colonization. But it was taken up again by the government in Hanover after 1815 and continued into the 20th century. An example of colonization during this time is the Neugaude colony (municipality of Moorweg, SG Esens, LK Wittmund). Over 80 colonies of this type were founded in East Frisia. With the formation of the districts at the end of the 19th century in the German Empire, the colonies were either assigned to the medieval communities or set up as separate communities. In contrast to the fen colonies, these colonies are not recognizable by their name today, even if they were originally called, for example, 'Kolonie Neugaude'. They are recognizable by their irregular settlement pattern, the small-scale division of land, the lack of older traces of culture and, due to the poor soil quality, a very weak agriculture.
