The Industrial Working Class Movement and Revolutionary Ideologies

The Working Class Movement and Industrial Conditions

For the wealthy bourgeoisie, the Industrial Revolution brought increased wealth and higher standards of living. They enjoyed comfortable homes, education, healthcare, entertainment, and holidays.

Working Class Hardships

The working class suffered terrible working and living conditions:

• Low Wages: Income was insufficient to support a family, forcing women and children into the workforce.
• Exhausting Hours: The working day lasted between 14 and 16 hours with strict discipline.
• Dangerous Environments: Lack of safety and hygiene led to chronic illness and frequent accidents, especially in mines.
• Lack of Rights: Workers had no legal protections and were denied the right to protest or strike.

Revolutionary Ideologies

Marxism

Developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, this ideology is based on political and economic analysis:

• Class Struggle: The objective was to gain political power.
• Dictatorship of the Proletariat: Establishing a new social and political order.
• Communist Economy: Private property would be abolished, and the means of production socialized.
• Communist Society: A classless, equal society where everyone shares a relationship with the means of production.

Anarchism

Developed by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and advocated by Mikhail Bakunin, this movement supported the overthrow of capitalism via social revolution. Key principles include:

• Individual Freedom: Fighting against any authority or institution that limits liberty.
• Direct Action: Each citizen should represent themselves.
• Abolition of Private Property: Society would be organized into independent communes.

The International Workers' Associations

The First International (IWA)

Founded in London in 1864, it included working-class organizations and advocates from various countries, including trade unionists, anarchists, and Marxists. Its objective was to coordinate workers' actions globally. It was dissolved in 1876 due to disagreements between Marxists and anarchists.

The Second International

Established in Paris in 1889, it campaigned for an eight-hour working day and established May 1st as an international day of protest for workers' rights. It was dissolved at the start of the First World War in 1914.

The Workers' Movement in Spain

• Luddite Protests: Occurred in Cataluña, the center of the textile industry.
• Mutual Aid Societies: Organizations like the Asociación de Tejedores in Barcelona were established.
• Socialist Organizations: The PSOE was established in 1879, followed by the UGT in 1888; both followed Marxist principles.
• Anarchist Syndicates: The FTRE engaged in direct action against businesses and landowners, particularly in Cataluña and Andalucía.
• CNT: In 1910, anarchists opposed to violence established the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo, which became the largest and strongest trade union in Spain.