19th Century Spanish Economy and Social Movements
Agricultural Trends and Cereal Production
Prevalence of Cereal: Cereal crops experienced lower yields, leading to elevated prices. Consequently, farmers resorted to protectionism. In the north, cultivation shifted toward potatoes, while in Galicia, maize became prominent. The Mediterranean region focused on rice and citrus crops. Andalusia was dominated by olive groves, while the primary exports consisted of wine, olive oil, and oranges.
Railway Construction and Infrastructure
The construction of the railway network followed the General Railway Law of 1855. Materials had to be imported because the Spanish iron and steel industries were unable to meet the high demand. The network was built using a radial structure. This design, combined with different track gauges, created difficulties for trade with the rest of Europe, requiring goods to be transshipped at the border, which increased both costs and transit times.
The Emergence of New Ruling Classes
The landed gentry lost their manorial rights but retained ownership of the land. This new gentry class shared social dominance with the nobility, owning the emerging industries and banks. The middle class, or bourgeoisie, remained relatively weak and was primarily composed of small entrepreneurs.
Urban Popular Classes and the Proletariat
In the cities, various craftsmen were dedicated to services, including servants and waiters. Women were frequently employed in domestic service. Industrial growth prompted many peasants to migrate to cities in search of work, forming the industrial proletariat. The living and working conditions for both peasants and workers were extremely poor, leading to widespread exhaustion.
The Peasantry and Rural Life
Peasants constituted the majority of the population. Many worked the land under lease agreements (arrendamiento). A significant group, known as jornaleros (day laborers), earned very low wages and were denied access to traditional resources like firewood. These hardships led to frequent peasant revolts throughout the century.
The Origins of the Labor Movement
Early worker protests involved the destruction of power looms and the burning of the Barcelona-Bonaplata factory. Workers began creating their own organizations, such as syndicates. In 1840, the first trade union, the Association of Weavers in Barcelona, was established. Spanish workers organized a general strike in 1855, and in 1870, the Spanish Federation of the International Workers' Association was formed.
Anarchism in Spain
During the late nineteenth century, anarchism advocated for the formation of autonomous groups opposed to bourgeois and capitalist society. While some factions resorted to violent attacks, others focused on forming labor unions. In 1910, the National Confederation of Labour (CNT) was founded.
Socialism and Marxism
Marxism gained significant influence among the proletariat and the middle class. In 1879, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) was founded, followed by the creation of a socialist union, the General Union of Workers (UGT), in 1888. Unlike anarchists, socialists made political statements and defended participation in elections.