Anarchist Movements and European Industrial Evolution
Anarchist Practices and Ideologies
The London Congress approved the use of personal violence to spread anarchist ideology. The practice of propaganda by deed involved attacks against the state, the church, and the bourgeoisie. This period saw various terrorist acts, including the assassinations of the Empress of Austria, French presidents, the President of the Council of Ministers of Spain, and the President of the U.S.
The more radical current of anarchism was anarcho-communism. Figures like Kropotkin and Malatesta were initially opposed to the formation of unions, instead advocating for a classless society and the collective ownership of the means of production and consumer goods. They opposed social Darwinism and strongly advocated for education.
Other tendencies, contrary to the practice of terrorism and individualism, favored collective action and the establishment of labor unions to pursue the goal of a classless society. The Charter of Amiens defined syndicalism based on the direct action of workers against employers and the general strike as a revolutionary tool for social change. Key organizations included the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) in France and the National Labour Confederation (CNT) in Spain.
Economic Shifts in Industrialized Europe
The enormous technological development brought about by the Second Industrial Revolution meant the fragmentation of the world into two poles: the industrialized and the non-industrialized. The former imposed themselves on the latter, who fell into direct or indirect dependency on nations like Spain.
Between 1873 and 1890, industrialized Europe experienced an economic crisis that originated in agriculture. The arrival of wheat from the U.S. and Russia reduced domestic cereal prices. This soon led to a crisis of overproduction across all sectors. As production reserves accumulated, prices dropped, profits decreased, and many industries were forced to close.
The industrial world emerged from the crisis through technical innovation, business remodeling, and the expansion of markets. The imposition of protectionist policies in many countries made it imperative to find markets and resources elsewhere, leading industrialized nations to exploit untapped areas of the world.