Prievidza during the late modern age and new age

The 18th century was a successful period for both craft and trade. At the time guild production was dominating with craftsmen divided into groups depending on their work sector.

The Bojnice estate doubted the city privileges granted by the Queen Mary of Prievidza for decades. In the 18th century these privileges were ruled old and invalid by the court and Prievidza found itself in the status of a subject municipality. In the year 1771 town property was confiscated which prompted the rebellion of women which lasted for 6 weeks. 

During the revolutionary years 1848-49, when Prievidza was under the power of the Hungarian Palfi family, no national revivalists were active, though many rich citizens entered the national guard established by the Prievidza priest Alojz Forgáč. In the beginning of January 1849 Slovak volunteers entered the town, the Prievidza guard disintegrated and J. M. Hurban announced a peaceful march through the town. During this time harmonisation took place between the Slovak volunteers and the citizens of Prievidza. In 1849, the city became the seat of the Slúžnov office, later also the seat of the district court.

Forceful Hungarianization took place during the turn of the 19th and 20th century. During this time lessons at school were taught in Hungarian, Hungarian newspapers were published and the F. M. K. E. organisation were spreading pro-Hungarian ideas. 

After the political and ideological plurality faded because of Hlinkas political party, the town square in Prievidza was renamed from Masarykovho námestie to Hlinkovo námestie. War economy eliminated unemployment in the region. From the year 1941 Jewish citizens in Prievidza were restricted, followed, and later transported into concentration camps in Poland. The German attack on Prievidza took place on the 13th and 14th of September 1944. The town was liberated by members of the 2nd Ukrainian Front in the afternoon of 4/4/1945. The town square of Hlinka was renamed once again to the Stalin town square.

The 50s were characteristic for the extensive construction of blocks of flats. The trend of a fast growing population and industrial development continued during the following decade, mainly in the field of energy, chemical and mining production. In 1964, Prievidza grew to include two separate villages, Hradec and Malá Lehôtka. Prievidza became a significant town in the Nitra region.

During the Velvet revolution the democratic platform was represented by various student movements and the Civil Forum, later called The Public Against Violence. A significant event was the first free municipal elections (November 1990), with the first elected mayor being Miloš Souček.