Published: 2019-01-071

Brittany in the first half of the 19th century. The attitude of the local authorities and the local community towards Polish affairs and Polish immigrants in the department of Côtes-du-Nord

Ewelina Tarkowska
Echa Przeszłości
Section: ARTICLES
https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.2707

Abstract

In the first half of the 19th century, Brittany was a region that was isolated from the rest of France. The lack of transport, very few large urban centers, delayed economic development, specific local mentality and the sole use of the Breton language in the region could suggest that the local authorities and residents were weary of strangers. However, the reality was strikingly different. After the November Uprising, many Poles immigrated to France where they received official immigrant status. In May 1833, a group of Polish immigrants was dispatched from Besançon to the department of Côtes-du-Nord in Brittany where they were admired for their struggle for independence and received a warm welcome from the local authorities and the community. The immigrants’ political activities and conduct were to be monitored, but the local authorities had few reasons to question their loyalty. The local residents raised funds for Polish immigrants in charity campaigns and helped them in daily matters. These attitudes were not merely acts of kindness on behalf of stateless immigrants, but they also enabled the French people to manifest their political views.

Keywords:

Brittany, Côtes-du-Nord department, Great Emigration in France, French attitudes towards Polish affairs

Download files

Citation rules

Tarkowska, E. (2019). Brittany in the first half of the 19th century. The attitude of the local authorities and the local community towards Polish affairs and Polish immigrants in the department of Côtes-du-Nord. Echa Przeszłości, (XIX). https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.2707

Cited by / Share


This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.