ABSTRACT
The period between the elections of 1867 and those of 1870-1871 was characterized by an upturn of the business cycle. Arthur Spiethoff dates its beginning for the world economy from 1869, but for most branches of industry in the district of Dusseldorf recovery from the mild recession of 1867 began early in 1868. The coal problem evidently was more detrimental to other industries than it was to the coal mines themselves. Other industries, however, had to pay higher prices for their fuel, and many had to reduce production because of the problem of getting coal delivered and also because of the shortage of manpower occasioned by the war. Prosperity, if general, was not universal. There were undoubtedly many families that experienced poverty in the midst of plenty. While many of the developments were still in progress, a number of by-elections were taking place in the district.
