Bolivar’s Historical Context: Industrial Revolution & Absolutism

Posted on Dec 18, 2024 in History

As part of the time in which Bolivar lived, we need to take into account the political, economic, and social conditions in which the Liberator lived in order to understand why their struggles. Economically, it happened at the dawn of the early eighteenth century, the so-called Industrial Revolution or engineer movement in the second half of this century in England, caused by the discovery of the machines and their application to work and industry.

Previously, until the second half of the eighteenth century, production was based on manufacturing, that is, the industry relied largely on the man as having power. Under the growing increase in demand for manufactured products, both for the local market requirements of England and the global market, new production techniques were searched for, and machines were invented to increase production.

This process began in the textile industry where the loom was replaced by power looms. In 1773, John Kay invented a shuttle that greatly increased the production of fabrics. In 1764, Hargreaves invented a spinning machine, and almost simultaneously put into operation a spinning machine driven by water power. Given the success of the textile industry, other branches of industry tried to do the same. The Englishman James Watt discovered the steam engine of continuous rotary motion. The American John Fulton applied steam to the ship and the Englishman John Stephenson to the locomotive.

In less than 100 years (from 1760 to 1830) the system of production and distribution of goods was profoundly transformed. Among the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, it has been the following:

The machine definitely replaced the handicraft workshop.
The wage worker (proletariat) surged as a social class, and the economic power, social and political development of the bourgeoisie increased.
Trade increased.
The great urban centers arose.
Economic policy developed as a free forex trader (one of the expressions of capitalism).
Economic imperialism developed.
New political ideologies emerged.

Precisely in this context, even when it seems that it bears no relationship, lived Bolivar, and against that struggled Bolivar, and so we have to fight everybody, because these same conditions, in essence, remain, but this is the beginning the beautiful history of our freedom, their historical context in which it is confined and limited his work, this is the tip of the iceberg, I invite you to continue accompanying me on this adventure, because I’ll tell you things you never even have been said of our Liberator. So I show him the door, you decide whether to cross it with us, be a patriot or fight for his country, or otherwise, continue subjugated in the dark threshold of oblivion and ignorance which are the most shameful chains why the most powerful and the imperialists of all the hours we have been wronged and humiliated. The decision is up to you to be free or to remain a slave.

The Crisis of Absolutism

Politically, we must remember that Bolivar lived in a colonial period, where the empire of the absolute monarchy regime, a regime that existed in Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, Persia, Macedonia, and Rome. The median age was aware of the national states. There was a vast number of more or less sovereign fiefdoms, which formed a nominal entity under the direction of the Emperor and the Pope. Between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries national states were being consolidated, on the one hand, absorbing the sovereignty of fiefdoms that comprise them and, on the other, becoming independent of papal and imperial government.

National States achieved the monarch’s power and autonomy on the basis of the application of the theory of the divine right of kings, according to which the sovereign is not subject to God, the Pope, or the Emperor, nor should they pay accountable to their own subjects.

The theory of the Divine Right of Kings becomes the foundation of absolutism, a form of government that developed in Western Europe between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and arises, among other things, as a result of historical growth in the power of the king decentralizing the fight against feudalism and the autonomist expansion consisting of the burghers or bourgeois.

Absolutism is the belief that summarizes the king of all powers and he is the only source of authority and capability to have to act according to the dictates of his conscience. Absolutism is not limited in the execution of the order and the will of the monarch, in any case, it is an autocracy, which expresses the sovereign power outlined in the person of the king.

The king is not the mere head of state is the Sovereign, is the guarantor of property and champion of the Nation. Their royalty is a mythical concept, it is also a terrible power to which all must be subject to. It concentrated all the powers and the coordinator, in turn, all powers. Above him, there is nothing but God and he is their representative on Earth temporarily. The statement attributed to Louis XIV, “The state is me” sums up the concentration of power in the monarch.

Absolutism, as a political regime, was in crisis in the eighteenth century, as a product of the reforming zeal of a revolutionary group of philosophers and economists.

Philosophers have criticized the social inequality, absolute monarchy, religious intolerance, and censorship of intellectual manifestations. Advocated new forms of social and political organization. The main political reformers and social revolutionaries of that time, widely read by our liberator, we have: Montesquieu, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Hume, etc.

Economists analyze the issues of wealth, production, labor, exchange, and taxation. Whipped in a special way, the mercantilist economic system based on the regulation and prohibition, and the current financial regime, which exempted most privileged classes of tax burdens. The most typical representatives of the new economic ideas were Quesnay and Gournay, promoters of the economic school of the Physiocrats and Adam Smith, father of economic liberalism and capitalist representative.

It is important, likewise, taking into account this historical context, because before that our freedom will take the path of arms to fight for our independence, also had to prepare ideologically and politically to not only defeat the Spanish empire in all Latin America but demolish and tear down the old model prevailing at the time, and still prevails, because freedom without equality is meaningless. And if you do not know, a friend who reads these chronicles, which is the system, its mechanisms of domination and its operation will change the characters but the old ideas, old habits will give encouragement to that unjust system continues to prevail.

International Conflicts at the Time of the Liberator

By the late eighteenth international economic and political situation presented the following table:

In the year 1700 there comes the Bourbons to the throne of Spain, which marked the beginning of a renaissance in the political and economic. The new kings surrounded themselves with business partners and implemented new ideas, new methods of governance, new stimulus to the economy and culture attended. However, Carlos III and especially Charles IV, who ascended the throne in 1788, committed grave political errors that affected the decline of the Spanish empire.
In 1776 the United States declared independence from England and the 1787 Constitution established a federal republic and democratic organizing on the one hand, the central government with its legislative, judicial and executive branches and or other relations between the States of the North American Union. Such a constitution, by its democratic nature, and its structure, upheld for the first time the division of powers in Europe influenced the French Revolution, and the rest of America when it came emancipation.
In France, Louis XVI ascended the throne in the year 1774, and governs with the arbitrariness and abuses of the old regime. The action of philosophers and encyclopedic, coupled with the weak character of the monarch and the severe financial crisis, resulting in the French Revolution. Between 1789 and 1799 this revolution is made, and as a product, they settled in Europe for new forms of political, social and economic, came new customs and won new models and ways of thinking and spiritual trends. All these changes are summarized as follows:

a) Politically: It caused the fall of absolute monarchy, which was replaced by the representative political system based on popular sovereignty, and a public power based on the separation of powers: legislative, executive and judicial.

b) Socially: privileges that are deleted had the clergy and the nobles and proclaims the equality of all citizens before the law, the bourgeoisie that has economic power, political power takes.

c) Economically: It proclaims the fullness of action at work, in trade and industry and the liberal regime is imposed.

In 1792 France declared war on Austria and Prussia invaded France.
In the year 1793, formed the first coalition against France formed by England, Austria, Prussia, Russia, the Holy Roman Empire, Italy, Holland, and Spain.
Between 1796 and 1797 Napoleon Bonaparte conquered northern Italy and defeated the Austrians.
In the year 1798, Napoleon tried to conquer Egypt, but failed, defeated by the British.
Between 1799 and 1801 formed the second coalition against France to stop the aggressive policy that was implemented by the Board.
In the year 1802 was signed the Treaty of Amiens, which England recognized the French Republic and returned all its overseas conquests except Ceylon and Trinidad.
In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte emperor of France was consecrated.
Between 1803 and 1807, following the breakdown of the peace of Amiens the fighting resumed between France and England and formed the third coalition of Austria, Russia, and England against Napoleon Bonaparte.

During this period, Napoleon defeated the Austrians, and England defeated the fleets of France and Spain. Italy was converted into a Napoleonic family feud. The kingdom of Naples was taken to the Bourbons. In Germany, the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved and a new state was created, the Confederation of the Rhine, of which Napoleon was declared protector. Prussia and Poland were invaded by the army of the French empire, and Tsar Alexander of Russia signed an armistice treaty and became an ally of the French.

In the year 1807, Napoleon sent his troops to Spain and Portugal, and the following year forced the old Spanish king Charles IV and Ferdinand heir to relinquish all claims to the Spanish throne. Napoleon’s brother Joseph, became the kingdom of Naples to Spain.
In July 1808, Joseph was crowned in Madrid, but in August was driven by the furious revolt of the Spanish, who fought until 1813 when they managed to restore the throne to Ferdinand VII.

By 1810, the great Napoleonic empire included France, Belgium, Holland, German countries bordering the North Sea to the Elbe, Rhenish Prussia, the Luxembourg, part of Switzerland, a third of Italy, the Illyrian provinces from the bottom of the Adriatic to Montenegro. Furthermore, had the territory subject to Spain, the Swiss Confederation, the Confederation of the Rhine, Westphalia, and Naples, and as allies to the Czar of Russia, Emperor of Austria, King of Prussia, King of Denmark, and King of Sweden.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States

The Declaration of Independence of the United States is an agreement of 1776 by which the Thirteen Colonies English in North America, then at war with Britain, declared their independence of this kingdom and explained their reasons for this action. The new nation was born of this statement was the United States of America. The contents of the statement was written by Thomas Jefferson between June and July 1776 during the War of Independence of the United States and was ratified by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, it is the triumph of the settlers and the principle the self (self-government). The anniversary of this day is celebrated in America as Independence Day. The most famous and known copies of this statement is the manuscript version, developed after July 19, 1776, and signed by members of Congress on August 2. The original document is kept on public view in the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC, capital of the United States

Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution is a major world revolution ^[edit], its character is distinctly illiberal and Africa, its consequence is the enduring view of Slavery Haiti setting a precedent that has precipitated the abolition of slavery in the world. Between 1791 and 1804 enslaved Boukman, Mackandal, François Dominique Toussaint Louverture and Dessalines in Haiti leading the Haitian revolution, which is remembered in the annals of the history of humanity for being the first case in which the enslaved abolished the slave system independently and enduring in time. Overcoming enormous difficulties, and facing the major powers of his time Spain, Britain and France the enslaved Haitian set a precedent for the abolition final slavery that precipitated the beginning of the end of the global slave system.

Economy and Society in Eighteenth-Century Europe

A Century of Demographic Rise

The Rapid Population Growth

It is an indisputable fact.
We tend to talk more about evolution than revolution
There is a gradual concentration in urban centers.
The Mediterranean area has lower numbers than northern and eastern Europe.

Causes of Population Growth

It has generated controversy because of the tendency to give preference to some other types of causes.

The Economic and Social Upheavals: the Agrarian Revolution

Improving living standards means.
Increased concern for hygiene.
Mortality weaker.
Increasing population.
The progress of trade relations favored an early textile industry.
Construction of roads removes the isolation of the field and attenuates local shortages.
Funding for the craft and women’s work play an important role in the quality of the food rations.

Advances in Medicine and Hygiene

The man begins to awareness on the problems of life and death.
The men of the eighteenth affirm their faith in the greatness of man and the idea of progress.
This achievement would be related to the fight against death, against the epidemic.
Medicine appears more scientific and better organized, better education and support of power.
Many historians call into question these revolutionary developments, although there was some progress.

The Decline of Major Epidemics

Until the eighteenth century the fundamental characteristic of the demographic cycle was irregular and oscillating evolution.
Large population massacres emerged as a result of violent outbreaks.
The disappearance of these large epidemics allowed a notable surplus population.
In the eighteenth century voluntary limitation of births among couples who enjoyed some affluence.

The Technical Progress in Agriculture: Limits of the Agricultural Revolution

The issue of agricultural revolution has generated numerous historiographical production.
The society of early eighteenth was largely agrarian.
It was necessary to increase production to cope with the increased population.
Historians are wondering if there was a revolution or just an intensification of cultivation procedures.
The question remains unresolved by the number of factors to consider.

Climate Factor

It has been ruled out as a factor.
The lack of climate records until the late eighteenth century has prevented measure the impact of the cooling trend.
The effects of this cooling varied from area to area.

The Introduction of New Crops

There were no substantial changes in the agricultural landscape.
Corn and potatoes continued their introduction against prejudice in spite of its advantages (performance, low soil depletion).
Increased diversification of crops.
Higher quality of bread.

Extension of Crops

It was the most influential factor in increasing agricultural production.
Especially in England, where conditions were necessary.

Seed selection.
Crop rotation of fallow and abandonment.
Using organic fertilizer.
Livestock as a sideline.
Land enclosures.
Concern and research.

Productivity gains favored the development of secondary and tertiary.

The Industry and Communications

For the analysis of socio-economic systems must take into account a double relationship:
Industry-craft.
Industry-city.
Despite agriculture’s most dynamic economy is one that is characterized by.

The production and exchange of consumer products.
The relationship of these products with the monetization process, urban growth and population growth.

The Trade Organization

During the eighteenth century guild organization was maintained.
There were while they were useful to the state.
When stopped believing in its usefulness disappeared.
One of its most important functions was to provide a social welfare worker (the sick, handicapped, orphans, widows).
For this reason disappeared too soon, because there was a century of delay before the state would take over these functions.
From the standpoint of production, outdated ideas condemned to extinction.
The merchants-manufacturers left the business groups, generalizing the domestic system (farm labor).
Moreover, most valuable teachers and entrepreneurs were established outside the cities.

Traditional Production and Manufacturing Production

18th century, union crisis, rise in home work in the field and appearance of the first factories.
Real prominence and state (momentum of large industries).
The proportion of large manufacturing interests was low compared to rural areas around urban shopping centers.
Work at home provided a rapid growth of industrial production before the adoption of the factory system.

Transportation

Its development was made with regard to manufacturing delays.
In the eighteenth goal: improving traditional media.
Using the Corvea (six days of work required per month) for road improvement.
Construction of the road network in Spain radial Floridablanca.
Successful toll road system in England.
System of measures and post-horses for Louis XVI.
No major changes in maritime transport.
Progress on the sails and navigational instruments.
Improved port facilities and development of river navigation.

Apogee Commercial Capitalism

Strengthening of relations with other continents during the eighteenth.
Is linked to the beginnings of the industrial revolution.
There was a change in the trading system.
Consolidation of the Atlantic as the dominant commercial area.
Opening of the triangular trade.

Exchange of weapons, alcohol and European hardware for slaves, gold and African ivory.
Exchange of African slaves for sugar, wheat, coffee and American snuff.
Exchange of American products by wood, oil …. Europeans.

The Economic and Social Thought

Mercantilism

Practices and measures of government since the mid-fifteenth to mid-eighteenth century.
Primacy of politics over economics.
State interventionism.
Importance of possession of precious metals.
Natural sources of wealth (agriculture and industry).
Improved exports and reduced imports.
Application of protective measures and the creation of royal manufactures to reduce the entry of foreign goods.

The Physiocracy. François Quesnay

In its Economic Table divided society into three classes.

Productive or primary. Agricultural class. Only the land produces wealth accruing in other sectors.
Owner. Priests and officials.
Sterile. Industrial, artisans and workers. It spontaneously generates wealth, it only adds the work invested.

For the Physiocrats there should be a tax on land.
They were opposed to any kind of state interventionism.
Defend the idea Ian dela interrelationship of economies.
It was an exclusively French phenomenon.

The Social Transformations

To analyze must be taken into account.

Economic trends.
Policy decisions.
The changes in mentality.
National differences.

These changes have not altered the traditional social division.
Since the Renaissance, the rise of a group of the third state with great economic power, threatening to destroy this plan.
This rise generated tensions and resistance from the privileged.

The Privileged Classes: the Nobility and Clergy

Were not monarchs to destroy the privileged classes once they reached power.
Not interested delete the ecclesiastical revenues, perhaps a better distribution.
They got donations from clergy and reinforced its control through the appointment of clergymen.
The economic troubles made the Kings eliminated the tax privilege to these classes.
The reactions were mixed, while in England did not protest in France was a breeding ground for the Revolution.
This reflects the enormous diversity that exists in Europe-noble
Noblezas Russian and Prussian very bureaucratic.
Anarchist Polish nobility.
Feudal barons of southern Italy.
Open nobility of England.
French nobility with his division: a toga and a sword.
The sale of offices and titles ceased in the eighteenth, but not the renewal of the nobility.
Bourgeois marriages were performed.
Were awarded certificates in appreciation for services rendered.
The reaction to the advance of the bourgeoisie was two ways:

Insisting to court to get paid posts.
Shortening the term of lease for rent increases.

This deepened the problems with the peasantry.

The Third Estate

The Peasantry

Were still the majority portion of the Third Estate.
Inside it were.

Small and medium landowners.
Tenants.
Sharecroppers.
Laborers.

A lot of them work as craftsmen or rented on a seasonal work.
Strengthening of the easement on the east, disappearing in the West.

The Bourgeoisie

Vague and ill-defined concept.
Third Estate Group is dedicated to commercial and industrial activities, although there were some noble.

Bourgeoisie Land

Families enriched by links, blows of fortune, leases or usury.
He wanted the removal of barriers to the transfer of rural property.
His goal was the estates of the Church, the nobility and the municipalities.
In Protestant countries the desarmotización had taken place during the Reformation, Catholics until the French Revolution.

Bourgeoisie Urban

It included such varied items that can not be considered as a class.
Large and medium-sized merchants.
Industrial thriving outside the guilds.
Bankers and usurers.
Rentistas.
Members of the professions, civil servants.
They will be those who directed the movements against the privileges of the nobility through the press.
The weapon of the bourgeoisie was not only wealth but the instruction

Consequence of Industrialization

Scheme that accounts for the phenomena resulting from industrial development. The image shows four consequences that have appeared at different times. The first manifestation of which was the emergence of industrial empires, which will have enormous political consequences, since it defines the emergence or consolidation of the modern powers. Moreover, urban expansion is determined by population growth, which influences the rise of the industrial bourgeoisie and the emergence of the proletariat, the latter being another consequence of industrialization. Finally, there is the environmental problem as another derivative of industrial development in the world. This problem is felt more strongly today than in the past for us pollution is an issue every day and that has grave consequences for our planet.