Social Integration and Assimilation Processes of the German Minority in Central Poland in the 19th Century

Abstract

Social integration is the process of integrating a minority social group – in this case a national minority – into the main part of society, and consequently adapting and harmonising the various elements relating to the sphere of norms and values accepted in a given social community. Such a process does not necessarily mean abandoning one’s former cultural and national identity, but requires the goodwill of the integrating communities and usually implies that the assimilated minority has to renounce at least part of its former identity (cultural patterns, values, norms, customs, etc.).