Workers’ Opposition and Political Forces in Early 20th Century Spain
The Workers’ Opposition
The most prominent organizations in the workers’ opposition were the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), the socialist-leaning union General Workers’ Union (UGT), and the anarchist-inspired National Confederation of Labor (CNT). The PSOE was still a small force, but with solid foundations that allowed for progressive growth. In 1905, the PSOE won council seats in Madrid, and in 1910, Pablo Iglesias achieved a record number of UGT deputies. The UGT favored political action to achieve social and labor reform and defended the participation of labor representatives in government agencies. Notably, in 1917, socialist unionism began to grow. The link between the PSOE and the UGT was very close; therefore, the rise of socialist unionism was accompanied by the growth of the party. Its new socialist leaders favored parliamentarism and a reformist politics of moderate inspiration.
Autonomous anarchist unions created Labor Solidarity in 1910, which propelled the foundation of the Confederation of Labor (CNT). The CNT defended the independence of the proletariat from the bourgeoisie and its institutions, positioning itself as apolitical. It emphasized the need for trade union unity among workers and the will to topple capitalism. Revolutionary action, according to the CNT, should be carried out through strikes and boycotts, ultimately leading to a general revolutionary strike. It created Unique Industry Trade Unions and reaffirmed its apolitical stance, advocating for direct negotiation between workers and employers.
The Forces of Opposition
Republicanism
Republicanism was the main opposition force. In an attempt to unify republicanism, the Republican Union, led by Salmerón and Lerroux, was born in 1903. This orientation was rejected by a splinter group that founded the Radical Republican Party in Barcelona. Collaboration with the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party led to the creation of the Republican-Socialist Conjunction. In 1912, the Reformist Party, founded by Melquíades Álvarez, emerged.
Nationalism: Catalonia and the Basque Country
In Catalonia, the Regionalist League stood out. A Catalan Republican faction was also consolidating. In 1905, the Nationalist Republican Center was created, and in 1910, the Federal Nationalist Republican Union was formed. As an anti-Catalanist reaction to the policies of the Liberal government, the electoral coalition Solidarity emerged. In 1917, the Catalan Republican Party was founded, and in 1922, Acció Catalana and Estat Català were established. The Catalan Republican Party was defeated by the Lliga.
Basque nationalism was marked by disputes over the issues that should dominate the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). In 1916, the PNV was renamed the Basque Nationalist Communion. In 1911, the PNV created Basque Workers’ Solidarity.
The Anti-Liberal Right: Carlism
At the beginning of the 20th century, Carlism maintained its presence and bases. Charles VII passed away in 1909. Juan Vázquez de Mella abandoned the movement and founded the Traditionalist Party in 1919. Both traditionalist parties and Carlists accepted electoral participation and were represented in Parliament. With the arrival of the Republic, they managed to reunite in a single party: the Traditionalist Communion.