Christian Workers Association in Łódź Industrial District (1905–1914)

Organization of Christian working environments and reception of Catholic social teaching on the territory of the Congress Poland was much delayed in comparison with other Polish territories. In the Upper Silesia in 1969 the first workers’ association was formed under the influence of Catholic social teaching which was being developed in Germany. The activity of Karol Miarka had a great impact on the development and promotion of solidarity-oriented solution of the so called “social issue”. In Wielkopolska father Augustyn Szmarzewski in 1862 set up St Joseph’s association for craftsmen and in 1871 he continued his work within the Union of Earning and Economic Companies. In this region father Piotr Wawrzyniak in cooperation with father Smarzewski engaged in extensive socio-economic and educational activity and started the association for Catholic apprentices in Śrem. The Catholic Church was able to get engaged in the activity among workers in the Congress Poland after political changes related to the revolution of 1905 and to the issuing by tsar Nicolas II the manifesto of 30 October 1905 granting Duma law-making rights and guaranteeing civil liberties. This article presents the formation of the Christian Workers Association in new political circumstances, particularly taking into account the activity of the Association in Łódź Industrial District