Viešosios tvarkos kaitos Kauno mieste XVIII a. antroje pusėje
Changes in the Public Order in Kaunas City in the Second Half of the 18th Century

Summary/Abstract: In the 18th century, Enlightenment ideas were spreading in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, including Kaunas City. The changes were reflected not only in the city reform laws but also in the decrees which bore national significance. Public rhetoric more frequently addressed the “good order” and “overall welfare.” The changes, which were inspired by broader state reforms, were reflected in such areas as new constructions or public order protection: from the city guards to a militia unit, stricter fire performance regulations, and regulations of trade in the city. The present article focuses on the changes in public order protection in Kaunas, fire protection, and trade, which demonstrate that society was changing taking into account the challenges of the time. The processes are reflected in the protocols, acts, and books of financial accounts of Kaunas Magistrate meetings. The magistrate decrees, which enforce the changes, illustrate the everyday life of the city.

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