Jewish population in Mazovia during Prussian occupation

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth remained for centuries the main centre for the development of secular and religious Jewish culture. Its area in the eighteenth century was also home for around 70% of all European Jews. It gave them shelter, even when, at the turn of the century, Polish lands began to lose its attractiveness. In other places Jews had better conditions for economic activity and greater range of rights. Nevertheless Jewish culture had its main stronghold here. Liquidation of the Polish state did not break the convenient location of this population, what is more, new conditions were conductive for Jewish migrations from the countryside to cities, especially Warsaw. This article presents the history of the Jewish population in Mazovia until 1795 and describes its characteristics and culture. Furthermore it shows the outlines of the Prussian policy towards the Jewish population, migration to cities and the organization of this community. Main impact was put to the position of the Jewish population in Warsaw. At the end there is a brief characteristics of the position of Jews in later years.