Industrial Revolution's Impact: 18th-19th Century

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution began in the late eighteenth century. It increased production and brought significant changes in transportation, agriculture, trade, and demand for new technologies.

New Sources of Energy

New sources of energy and production led to the increased use of primary materials and the replacement of animal, vegetable, and mineral oil. The invention of the steam engine in 1769 revolutionized production and transportation. Water pumps were used in mining, smelting, and large machines, leading to the rise of factory workers. The steel industry and metals were used to build things, finding applications in steam navigation, ships, and increased load capacity. Railways emerged as a significant development, with the first lines connecting Manchester to Liverpool in 1834 and Barcelona to Mataró in 1848. Trains encouraged trade and economic growth.

New Demographic Regime

The Industrial Revolution brought about a new demographic regime, with an increase in population due to improvements in agriculture. Europe experienced a great migratory flow known as the "white blast," with people moving to territories with similar climates, such as Canada and the USA. Intercontinental trade grew, with Europe selling products and buying raw materials.

Class Society

Industrial society saw a theoretical equality for all, but the right to vote was initially limited to the wealthy. A long fight for universal suffrage ensued. Society was divided into owners (bourgeoisie) and the proletariat (working class). The living and working conditions of the working class were poor. The quality of life rose with increased work. The Luddite movement, which involved the destruction of machines, had no positive effect and led to increased repression. In the mid-nineteenth century, unions were initially prohibited but later accepted. They demanded universal suffrage, as seen in the Chartist movement in England, which aimed to reform the English electoral system. While workers initially could not vote, the quality of work improved when suffrage was achieved.

Industrialization in Catalonia

Industrialization in Catalonia began in the late eighteenth century with a focus on cotton and agricultural production. The use of steam power was imposed on the textile process, with the Bonaplata factory established in Barcelona in 1833. Difficulties arose due to coal scarcity, leading to the development of hydroelectric colonies. Problems also appeared in the steel and gas industries, and later in the electrical industry in the second half of the century.

Expansion and Crisis

The early nineteenth century saw the mechanization of the textile industry. The construction of "sellfatines" machines in 1844 increased production and generated more money. The American Civil War (1861-1865) disrupted the cotton supply, leading to a decrease in production. However, production increased in the last third of the century thanks to demand from Spain. In 1882, a protectionist tariff was approved, leading to a period of increased financial and stock market activity known as the "gold rush." The Catalan, Basque, and Castilian industries benefited from protectionism, while agricultural operators in the south favored free trade. In 1869, free trade was adopted, damaging the industry. Finally, the Restoration period saw a return to protectionism.

The Catalan Bourgeoisie

The Catalan bourgeoisie consisted of large, small, and medium-sized capitalists with good economies. They lived in Barcelona, had houses in the suburbs, and frequented the Liceu. The bourgeoisie favored protectionism and occupied a secondary place in politics. They created institutions to advocate for protectionism, such as the "National Promotion of Work." The bourgeoisie feared the workers' movement and supported conservative governments.

Labor Movement in Catalonia

Working conditions in Catalonia were similar to those in the rest of Europe. The first workers' associations were underground. Anarchist ideas were disseminated, and workers were mostly anarchists and supporters of creating unions. In 1869, "The Third Class," a textile workers' union, was created. Marxist organizations like the PSOE and UGT emerged. Universal suffrage, granted during the Democratic Six-Year period, was abolished in 1874 and not implemented again until 1890. In the late nineteenth century, Catalan anarchism adopted terrorism. Bombings targeted the bourgeoisie and the church, earning Barcelona the nickname "the city of bombs." The government responded with harsh repression, and terrorists were tried by military courts, resulting in numerous death sentences.