2.1 SETTLEMENTS DUE TO THE DIVISIONS OF POLAND AND COLONIZATION

The partitions of Poland, carried out at the end of the 18th century by the neighboring countries, split the Lasowiaks into two parts: those living in the lands west of the San (Austrian partition - Galicia) and those on its eastern shore (the Russian partition - Congress Kingdom). The guarded border blocked mutual contacts and caused the return of both parts of Lasowiaks to different political centers. This had an impact on the cultural and economic diversity as well.

            The Austrian-led colonization campaigns took place in the discussed area. They led to the creation of 17 settlements, incl. Gillershof in Giedlarowa, Königsberg in Wola Zarczycka or Steinau in Kamień. In a few cases, the settlers were artisans, most of the colonization was agricultural. It contributed to the development of the culture of cultivation of certain species: rapeseed, beetroot, tobacco and also fruit trees. The surroundings were also influenced by the type of housing estates, the layout of farm buildings and even elements of equipment.

            In the areas of the Vistula and San forks, forced colonization also took place. It consisted in the settlement of prisoners of war in these areas. For centuries, they were Tatars, Swedes, Russians called Muscovites until the 19th century. You can guess that many inhabitants of the Lasowiak region are not even aware that they have immigrant roots.