Chapter Transformation of urban occupational structure and mobility (Leipzig, 1550-1850)

Overview & Synopsis

Located at the intersection of two major trade routes, Leipzig in Saxony, Germany, became a European trading hub, presumed sensitive to economic shocks. This study examines the effects of upheavals, shocks, and trends on Leipzig's occupational structure using data from over 200,000 genealogically linked residents between 1550 and 1850. Occupations are coded using HISCO and KldB 2010, enabling detailed analysis of occupational changes, including intergenerational shifts. Results show surprising stability in Leipzig’s occupational structure despite significant upheavals. Only the Saxon Rétablissement after the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) significantly increased intergenerational occupational mobility and altered the occupational structure, contributing to Leipzig’s significant economic rise in the 19th century.