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City of Offenbach

The 19th century: The era of industrialization

Europe is reorganized at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The "bourgeois century" begins. Municipal self-government, industrialization, urban growth and modernization and the emergence of the labour movement in Offenbach are milestones in the city's development. The "long" 19th century ends in 1918 with the fall of the great European empires in the First World War.

  • City history

    Main features of urban development

    In the broadest sense, Offenbach's rise as an industrial city also belongs to the era of revolutionary upheaval.
  • City history

    Industrialization

    Offenbach's development into an industrial city was aided, among other things, by the "complete civil freedom of trade" passed in 1819.
  • City history

    Leather goods and leather processing

    In 1776, the bookbinder Joseph Anton Mönch founded his own "case and souvenir factory". By the beginning of the 20th century, Offenbach had become a world-famous German leather town.
  • City history

    Mechanical engineering and metal goods manufacturing

    Offenbach's mechanical engineering and metal goods industry expanded rapidly and the number of employees doubled to 4,375 between 1882 and 1907, while the number of companies remained the same.
  • City history

    Offenbach and its tobacco

    Johann Nicolaus Bernard, equipped with an "exclusive privilege" from the sovereign, produced snuff in Offenbach from 1733. The "Offenbacher Morocco" became a popular creation. Johann Nicolaus obtained the tobacco from his brother Johann Jakob in Amsterdam or brought it from the Palatinate on his own ships.
  • City history

    Offenbach in the Empire

    At the end of the 19th century, Offenbach almost received the honor of joining the ranks of the spa towns.
  • City history

    Modern infrastructure

    Between 1790 and 1860, Offenbach's population tripled and the infrastructure had to keep pace with this change.

Explanations and notes

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