Labor Movement and Social Change in 19th‑Century Spain
8GAIA: Labor Movement and Social Change
8.1 Social Problems (Arazo)
In the second half of the 19th century, economic development and the expansion of the railway increased the exodus of farmers and agricultural labourers to the cities. As a result, many districts were poor (pobra zeuden) and public health conditions deteriorated. The liberal government considered education a municipal responsibility and did not allocate sufficient funds. Municipalities (udalek) and other public services offered very precarious provision (zituzten gabezia), which created a major social problem.
8.2 The Workers' Movement (Langile Movement)
The emancipation of the working class in Europe from around 1850 brought claims and protests against established ideologies of the left, against private property and capitalism. Communism and other revolutionary ideas sought to transform property relations. Within the broader movement it is possible to distinguish two main currents:
a) Anarchism
Anarchism rejected religious and state authority. It took root in rural areas such as Andalusia and among the urban workforce in Barcelona and the industrial proletariat. From the mid‑1870s some anarchists adopted terrorist tactics against authorities; in Spain anarchism became associated with high‑profile acts of violence such as the assassination of Cánovas (1897). Governments repressed terrorism, and anarchism and syndicalism later developed into organized labour movements. In 1910 the anarchist union CNT was founded.
b) Socialism
Socialism, influenced by Marx, generally favored political participation: socialists supported political parties, trade unions and workers' newspapers. By contrast, many anarchists refused to participate in elections and prioritized direct action and syndicalist organization.
8.3 Euskal Socialism (Basque Socialism)
In Bizkaia the iron mines attracted many farmers who migrated to work in the mines; soon there were about 25,000 workers. Pablo Iglesias, leader of the PSOE, and the socialist activist Perezagua were active in the area. From there socialism spread: the PSOE and the UGT gained a presence in Bilbao, and workers' publications were founded. In the class struggles of Biscay workers organized strikes and actions that forced shop closures and challenged exploitative practices.
Key workers' demands included the disappearance of barrack‑style housing, the elimination of piecework (destajo), the reduction of working hours, wage increases and improved working conditions in factories and mines. The workers' struggle in the mines and industries of Bilbao and Vizcaya strengthened socialism in the region.
8.4 Socialism as a Strong Political Force
Socialism became a powerful political force. The public left (ezkertegia) began to win electoral support as part of republican coalitions, although early achievements were limited. By 1910 socialist representatives gained seats, and socialism later became an influential political force in large Spanish cities.