EXPLOITATION AND MARKETING OF SALT IN MARAMURES
IN THE TIME OF FRANCIS RÁKÓCZI II (1703-1711)
Ioan DORDEA
Abstract:
Since their arrival in Transylvania and Maramures, at the end of the eighteenth century, the Habsburg authorities have taken several measures to reorganize the whole system of exploitation, transportation and marketing of salt found in an obvious process of decay. Sending evaluation committee rooms on the ground, periodic inspections concluded with the development of guidelines and rules of work, incorporating regular quantities of salt and salt waiver granted free, direct administration of the salt mines by government officials were measures that had to bring important benefits. In the year 1703, all these efforts were interrupted by the outbreak of the rebellion led by Prince Francisc II Rákóczi when the salt mines in Maramures passed directly subordinate to the Chancellor Prince. This study outlines the steps taken by the Kuruc State designed to increase exploitation and marketing of salt, to obtain large amounts of money for the treasury of the prince. It should be noted that activity in the salt mines took place in special circumstances because the war status and due to circumstances caused by some exceptional measures to be taken, the chronic lack of money, used almost with exclusively for military needs. The Measures taken by Kurucs to restructure the operation and marketing of salt in Maramures, like those taken by the Habsburgs until 1702, were closed with the military defeat and the peace of Satu Mare (1711).
Keywords:
salt mining, trade, Maramures, Francisc II Rákóczi, rebellion, Habsburgs