Characteristics of the Catholic expansion in Moson County and its impacts (1659–1713)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to demonstrate the context of the Catholic expansion, the turning point of the history of Moson, a county in Western Transdanubia. The timeframe of my research is 1659–1713, based on the sources, with an insight ont he 18th century. The focus of my research was on the reorganisation of denominations and ethnic groups and the behaviour of the local aristocracy and nobility. My work has shown the social-forming impact of events in the 17th century and the socio-geographical developments of the transformation of the local denominational structure.
At last, I have tried to interpret the period by means of historical theoretical models – in this respect, I must highlight the examination of the applicability of the social historical event as a social historical phenomenon, as well as the confessionalisation model of Heinz Schilling and Wolfgang Reinhard. The result of this work was the observation and analysis of an interaction between landlords, the Catholic Church, the state and county. This cooperation had a powerful effect in reshaping the denominational composition of Moson county, making it uniform and catholic. New social structure were created, which had a long-term influence on the development and history of the society of the county.