Idea of the modern craftsman following the abolition of serfdom in Lithuania

The Crafts movement that spread in Lithuania in the second half of the 19th century is to be treated as part of the analogous movement in the Russian Empire. Here the crafts movement was aimed at solving the social and demographic issues caused by the abolition of serfdom in 1861 and subsequent labour surplus. In terms of its social orientation, the Russian and Lithuanian crafts politics reminded the processes noticeable in the Western countries at that time, where tremendous industrial developments destabilized and impoverished a large part of the society. However, the features of the Western crafts ideology - anti-industrial pathos, romantic retrospectiveness, and trends of aestheticism - were not characteristic of the Lithuanian craftsmanship. On the contrary, here dominated the utilitarian view, the concern for simple everyday things, and positive moods. The specific features of pragmatism were determined by the economic situation of the country, namely, weak industry and outdated forms of the work organization. Consequently, one of the main tasks was modernization of local crafts, which was closely related to the democratization of industrial relations and education of craftsmen. The Lithuanian crafts movement was marked by the burst of creative energy. On the basis of it, the old closed social structures based on tradition melted and a dynamic association of capitalist manufacturers developed. All the nationalities that lived in Lithuania competed for the position in this community encompassing different classes and confessions thus creating a conflicting, yet common ideology of small manufacturers. This movement committed itself to becoming one of the most important impulses in uniting the politically, religiously and culturally split society and the key factor in forming the mentality of the modern Lithuanian citizens. Yet the structures fostered for over 50 years were destroyed by the disorder of World War I