ist of Tables List of Figures Preface and Acknowledgements Part 1. The Concept of a Demographic Avant-Garde: Three Keys 1 Chapter 1. Population Change, Demographic Transition and Its Forerunners Chapter 2. Historical Context: The Case of Jews in Bohemia Chapter 3. Data Sources: Correct Use and Interpretation Part 2. Jewish Population Development in Bohemia: Trends and Transitions from the Mid-Eighteenth to the Mid-Twentieth Century Chapter 4. Population Growth and Spatial Distribution Chapter 5. Population Structure: Sex, Age, and Marital Status Chapter 6. Marital Patterns: Nuptiality and Divorce Chapter 7. Fertility Chapter 8. Mortality and Causes of Death Chapter 9. Natural Population Increase, Migration, Religious Disaffiliation, and Acculturation Part 3. Social and Economic Characteristics of Jews in Bohemia Chapter 10. Linguistic Identity and Ethnicity Chapter 11. Education System and Enrolment Chapter 12. Social Status, Professional Structure, and Economic Contributions Conclusion List of References and Data Sources Appendices