Introduction / Assignment of topics (13.10.) Topic 1: 18th century credits in agriculture Economic underdevelopment is prominently connected with lack of institutions that distribute capital (micro-credit debate). This topic explores which ideas have to be considered in the financing of the Prussian development Readings: Kirsten Wandschneider (2013)-“Lending to lemons- Landschafts-Credit in 18th century Prussia”, NBER Working Paper 19159 Topic 2: Immigration and Technology diffusion (27.10.) Prussia was a state without clear natural nor ethical borders particulary not connected with outstanding economic development before 1800. To what extend did immigration from other states foster its growth? Readings: Erik Hornung (2014)- “Immigration and the Diffusion of Technology: The Huguenot Diaspora in Prussia”, American Economic Review 2014, 104(1), pp. 84–122 Topic 3: The Prussian Reforms (3.11.) The Stein-Hardenbergian Reforms in Prussia, including the land reforms, are a major topic in discourse among historians. This topic deals with its economic consequences of these reforms. Readings: IK, pp.320-330 Joachim Zweynert(2010) -“The French revolution and the transfer of the open access order to the South-Western German states and Prussia”, HWWI Research Papers Topic 4: Regional Differences in Growth (10.11.) Readings: Knut Borchardt (1982)-“Wachstum, Krisen: Handlungsspielräume der Wirtschaftspolitik”, Kritische Studien der Geschichtswissenschaft, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht p. 42ff. Topic 5: Educational policy in “Enlightened Prussia” (17.11.) The supremacy of Prussian educational policy remains to be one of the big stories of national identification for German intellectuals. This topic will look deeper into the effect of the reforms and their outcome. close

This seminar deals with special topics on the Economic History of the Prussian state after the Congress of Vienna up to the Foundation of the German Empire. Though it is not a history course, a deep outline of the Prussian history is provided (basic previous knowledge appreciated). We then deal with special economic topics that quantitative researched focused on. Required: A good understanding of econometric methods and quantitative economics, basic knowledge of the European Economic History of the 19th century appreciated. Seminar papers due March, 31st 2015 via e-mail only, huningth@cms.hu-berlin.de Max. 26 participants. Please register with Thilo Huning (huningth@cms.hu-berlin.de) until October 20, 2014. close