Bürger- und Beisassenrecht. Die rechtspolitische Steuerung der Immigration im frühneuzeitlichen Frankfurt am Main

Abstract

Summary Burghers versus Beisassen. Legal-Policy Regulation on Immigration in Early Modern Frankfurt am Main The article examines the immigration of religious and economic refugees to the imperial city of Frankfurt between the mid-16th century and the end of the 18th century. The study focuses on the evolution of legal conditions that determined how someone could become a burgher or a Beisasse, a person with less civil rights. It considers, whether the council granted citizenship in a way that reflected the economic and religious situation in the city. The analysis of the relevant sources reveals that the city was economically dependent on immigrants in the beginning of the 16th century. Eventually, this changed and the immigrants moved into direct competition with the local population. Moreover, many poor labourers migrating to Frankfurt burdened the social system. To stabilize the position of the local population, the council changed the conditions under which the status of Beisasse could be granted in 1...