The Polish question largely disappears from the…

Blaming romantic idealism for the catastrophic uprising, people reject political activities and extol the value of ”organic work”, progress, and modernization.

Warsaw Positivism, deriving its name and inspiration from the thought of Auguste Comte, provides the rationale for these views.

Poland’s emancipated peasantry, coming into direct contact with the Russian officialdom and antagonized by anti-Catholic and Russification policies, has become more self-consciously Polish.

The dispossessed gentry has moved to towns, transmitting their values to a growing intelligentsia, which has assumed national leadership.

As the Industrial Revolution penetrates Congress Poland, the growth of a bourgeoisie and of an industrial proletariat is accelerated.

The fastest and greatest development is in textiles and is centered on Lódz, “the Polish Manchester”.

Mining, metallurgy, and food-processing industries follow suit.

Vistula Land becomes the most developed part of the Russian Empire, but its development is uneven and its modernization partial.

Moreover, its reliance on the eastern markets make the country dependent on Russia.

Socioeconomic progress contrasted with political stagnation.