Propination laws were a privilege granted to Polish
szlachta
The ''szlachta'' (; ; ) were the nobility, noble estate of the realm in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Depending on the definition, they were either a warrior "caste" or a social ...
that gave landowners a monopoly over profits from alcohol consumed by their peasants. Propination is a historical right to distill spirits.
In many cases, profits from propination exceeded those from agricultural production or other sources.
These laws usually included:
* peasants were not allowed to purchase any alcohol not produced in their owner's distillery
* alternatively, they could be allowed to brew their own drinks but had to pay a fee according to the amount produced
* peasants had to buy at least a given quota of
vodka
Vodka ( ; is a clear distilled beverage, distilled alcoholic beverage. Its varieties originated in Poland and Russia. Vodka is composed mainly of water and ethanol but sometimes with traces of impurities and flavourings. Traditionally, it is ...
or
okovita. Those who didn't comply had the remaining amount dumped in front of their houses and had to pay the costs.
These laws first appeared in the 16th and were widespread by the 17th century. They lasted until 1845 (
Prussian partition
The Prussian Partition (), or Prussian Poland, is the former territories of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth acquired during the Partitions of Poland, in the late 18th century by the Kingdom of Prussia. The Prussian acquisition amounted to ...
), 1889 (
Galicia) and 1898 (
Russian Partition
The Russian Partition (), sometimes called Russian Poland, constituted the former territories of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that were annexed by the Russian Empire in the course of late-18th-century Partitions of Poland. The Russian ac ...
).
Propination was the main cause for massive
alcoholism
Alcoholism is the continued drinking of alcohol despite it causing problems. Some definitions require evidence of dependence and withdrawal. Problematic use of alcohol has been mentioned in the earliest historical records. The World He ...
in Poland; also, because taverns in rural region were leased nearly exclusively to
Jews
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
who took part in enforcing these privileges, it was also a major reason for
antisemitism
Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
among peasants.
See also
*
Szlachta privileges
*
Arendator
In the history of the Russian Empire, and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, arendator (literally "lease holder") (, ) was a person who leased fixed assets, such as land, mines, mills, inns, breweries, or distilleries, or of special rights, such a ...
References
Legal history of Poland
Alcohol in Poland
Alcohol in Lithuania
Alcohol law
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