Spain in the Late 19th Century: Society, Economy, and Labor
Late 19th Century Spain: Demographics
Population grew more slowly than in Europe. A U.S. birth reduces mortality, but tuberculosis. In Spain, there was high mortality and a low birth rate.
There were famines, epidemics (such as cholera), and wars (the Carlist Wars, the Cuban War of Independence). Emigration occurred to Argentina and Brazil (including Catalans to Cuba). Since 1885, mortality slowly normalized. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw migration from rural areas to central and peripheral cities. Spain remained largely agrarian.
Late 19th Century Spain: Economy
Rural Economy in Spain
Rural Spanish agriculture was rainfed and Mediterranean. 85% of the land was dedicated to the Mediterranean triad (wheat, olives, grapes). There was increased exploitation of citrus and almonds. Introduced cultivars were ambivalent. The problems were: landowners prioritized annuities, focusing on the immediate benefit from the land rather than investing in its productivity. Consequently, investments in tools and production did not increase.
Rural Economy in Catalonia
It was based on the cultivation of vines. Catalonia initially benefited from the phylloxera epidemic in France in 1880, but by 1887, it was also affected. When it recovered, the economy was largely controlled by France.
Industrial Economy in Spain
The iron and steel industry consolidated in the Basque Country. Benefits were invested in equipment and foundries, transforming Bilbao into the most important heavy industry center, strategically located near iron mines. Vessels continued to export iron to Great Britain and returned loaded with excellent coal.
Industrial Economy in Catalonia
There was an expansion of the cotton and wool industries. Two problems arose: a lack of energy sources and difficulty finding markets. They imported coal, as their textiles were uncompetitive compared to European industry. To solve this, many industries were located on the banks of rivers to harness water power. The result was that they were uncompetitive in the market. They asked the government to solve this by applying tariffs.
Late 19th Century Spain: Workers’ Movement
Problems faced by workers during the Restoration included:
- Unemployment
- Employer intransigence
- Lack of government interest
- Illiteracy
- Long working days
- Child labor
- Minimal claims
In 1883, the Commission for Social Reforms was approved, aiming to identify and solve workers’ problems.
Marxist-Inspired Workers’ Movement
When Marx dissolved the First International Workingmen’s Association (AIT), he stated that Marxists should organize independent parties in their respective countries. In 1879, Pablo Iglesias caused a schism within the Democratic Party. He secretly created the Democratic Socialist Workers’ Party with 25 people. In 1881, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) was founded with 900 members.
In 1889, in Paris, the Second International was founded. Organizers of the May 1st festival advocated for an 8-hour workday and the creation of ‘Casas del Pueblo’ (Workers’ Houses).
Anarchist Workers’ Movement
Two basic principles: absolute freedom without any hierarchies, and the inherent goodness of a free society as a natural order.
In 1881, the Federation of Workers of the Spanish Region (FTRE) was established, lasting until 1886. The main problems were the organization of anarchists and their persecution through police and judicial processes. The movement held numerous meetings in the 1880s, growing significantly in cities like Seville (1882) and Valencia (1888).
Although united by ideology, the movement was divided by internal factions, with some groups engaging in terrorism.
In the 1890s, anarchist actions and rebellion targeted the government, the bourgeoisie, the military, and the church.
After a bomb attack in Barcelona, workers were prosecuted in the Montjuïc Process, leading to a hardening of Spanish legislation against anarchism. In 1897, an Italian anarchist assassinated Cánovas del Castillo.