Political and Labor Movements in Spain (1900-1930)

Anarchism: Ideology and Conflict with Marxism

Unlike Marxism, Anarchism is not a single comprehensive theory but a political philosophy with many variations depending on the author. However, common ideas include the aspiration to a stateless society without government, rejecting any form of power. Anarchist struggle focuses on dismantling any manifestation of power.

The friction between anarchists and Marxists stems from two key differences:

• Objectives: Anarchists seek the immediate abolition of the State.
• Strategy: Anarchists reject the formation of workers' political parties.

Development of the Worker Movement: First Third of the Twentieth Century

During the Restoration period, the working classes noted a significant disparity between their large numbers in society and their low representation in Parliament.

Socialism: The PSOE and the UGT

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) had previously maintained a position of isolation. It achieved its first seat in Parliament when Pablo Iglesias was elected deputy in 1910. Since then, the party saw growth in votes during general and municipal elections, culminating in 1923 with the achievement of seven members.

During the crisis of 1917, the PSOE and the General Union of Workers (UGT) supported the movement of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Juntas.

The Communist Split

The Socialist movement experienced internal division:

1. In 1921, a group of 30 lawmakers separated from the party and founded the Spanish Communist Party (PCE).
2. In April 1921, part of the Young Socialists founded the Spanish Communist Workers' Party (PCOE).
3. In March 1922, the two groups merged to form the Communist Party of Spain (PCE).

During the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923–1930), Spanish socialism barely grew politically. However, the UGT achieved spectacular growth during this time. The coup led by Primo de Rivera increased the influence of the socialist movement in agricultural sectors. The Socialists utilized the Joint Committees (Comités Paritarios), and their leaders, notably Largo Caballero and Saborit, became part of the Union of Corporations under the dictatorship.

Anarcho-syndicalism: La CNT

In the early years of the century, the anarchist movement managed to overcome the crisis caused by the repression at the end of the nineteenth century. In October 1900, the Federation of Workers of the Spanish Region (FTRE) was rebuilt. In 1910, anarchism transformed into the National Confederation of Labour (CNT).

Salvador Seguí was appointed general secretary of the union in 1918. The CNT reached its zenith at its Third Congress.

After the 1923 coup, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera was merciless toward the anarcho-syndicalist movement. In 1927, the Iberian Anarchist Federation (FAI) was established, an organization that imposed a more radical course on confederal syndicalism.

Christian Unions

The intensification of social conflict and the emergence and development of left-wing unions explains the success of Christian unionism. These unions brought together employers and workers in joint mixed juries (Juries Mixtos).

They experienced significant development in regions such as:

• Navarra
• Castilla
• León
• Basque Country