| Abstract [eng] |
During the first years of Sovietization the fate of the markets became unclear. The first question that arose was whom or what they belonged to. Twenty four markets that were functioning during the years 1940-1941 were administered in various ways by the local authorities. The markets of Gruzdžiai, Kriukai, Kruopiai, Kuršėnai, Lygumai, Pakruojis, Užventis and Žeimelis were managed by the executive committees of local districts, while the markets of Radviliškis and Šiauliai – by the executive committees of the towns. The marketplaces of Linkuva, Šiaulėnai, Tryškiai, Papilė and Pašvitinys local districts, Joniškis and Žagarė towns were rented out. The markets of Meškuičiai and Padubysys were not administered by anyone. In the years 1940-1941, the largest number of markets – even three (livestock market, flee market and a market for other goods) were operating in the town of Joniškis. The order in the markets was maintained usually by the militia (Soviet police) officers and in the marketplace of Skaisgiris – by the firemen. Up to 1956 the local trade was controlled by the trade departments of the executive committees. The markets of the Šiauliai County gathered fees from the traders which differed in various markets. All the money collected from fees usually went into the fund of the executive committee. The Soviet financial reform of November 23, 1940 dealt a hard blow to the people’s standard of living, because 90 kopeks was exchanged for one Litas. Due to this financial reform the prices started to increase, while people’s purchasing power fell more than four times. [...]. |
