Sidensjalar och socker: Judiska näringsidkares betydelse för konsumtionsrevolutionen i Sverige

• During the eighteenth century, Sweden and other western European countries were characterized by a growing domestic market. Demand for goods such as coffee, sugar, tea and cotton fabric increased among a significant portion of the population. This demand, termed the ”consumer revolution,” is now seen as an important condition for the continued industrial development in the nineteenth century and a key element in the development of modern society. In addition to increased demand and greater supply, a functional distribution of goods was essential for maintaining this growth in consumption. Parallel to change in consumption patterns, Sweden’s commercial structure began to develop, leading to a marked rise in the availability of goods. Diverse commercial forms such as peddling and village shops as well as urban wholesale and retail traders played a prominent role in this growth. Among these commercial actors, Jewish merchants were a particularly interesting and important group. This article deals specifically with the production and distribution roles of Jewish merchants in early to mid-nineteenth century Gothenburg. Within this article, case studies of Moses Frenkel, the spouses Pineus, and L.E. Magnus & Co. have revealed that products were distributed in a wide geographical area mainly in western Sweden both through retailers in Gothenburg and by peddlers. This study also shows several examples of how this Jewish group cooperated through business and personal contacts. For example, they were members of the same companies and financially supported each other. In addition, they were often related to one another by marriage. The article stresses the importance of the Jewish merchants’ international network of contacts, which often consisted of fellow Jewish merchants. Many questions are yet to be answered, and these case studies would benefit through more systematic analysis of the commercial activity of Jewish merchants in Gothenburg. The small number of Jews within this group creates an opportunity to study the distinct roles of different types of contacts. In addition, this study could also be linked to previous research on trade networks in the early modern period. Further study of trade and commercial relations with foreign merchants and producers would make it possible to discuss the integration of Sweden into a European and even global market of consumer goods.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

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