The Rise of Internationalism and Labor Movements in Spain
The International in Spain
The Sexenio Democrático (Democratic Six-Year Term) fostered political tolerance and empowered the obreras (working-class) forces. Socialist and anarchist ideas spread as nuclei formed, aligning with the First International founded by Karl Marx. The First International gained prominence in Spain following the visit of Giuseppe Fanelli, who was sent by the anarchist Mikhail Bakunin.
The general principles of the First International included:
- Abolition of the state
- Collectivization
- Apolitical stance
These ideas resonated among the proletariat and the peasants in Catalonia and Andalusia. In 1870, the Spanish Regional Federation was created, and the application of strikes was approved.
The Arrival of Marxism
Marxist ideas entered Spain thanks to Paul Lafargue, Marx's son-in-law, who settled in Madrid. He led the group closest to Marxism, which developed around the newspaper La Emancipación, created shortly after the New Madrid Federation. Internationalism began to decline when a group of anarchists adopted an insurrectionary stance, proclaiming the collapse of the state in hopes of sparking a revolution that ultimately did not occur.
Anarchist Currents
The Spanish Regional Federation changed its name to the Federation of Workers in the Spanish Region due to new laws forbidding international organizations directed from abroad. The new organization increased its membership and developed industrial action. Within this organization, lawlessness prevailed, leading some anarchist groups to pursue direct action to undermine the pillars of capitalism.
The proliferation of anarchist attacks widened the gap between those who supported direct action and those who advocated for mass action. The latter did not conceive of a revolution led by small groups of activists, but rather a social revolution. This new trend bore fruit with the creation of Solidaridad Obrera and the CNT.
Social Organizations
The New Madrid Federation became the Socialist Group of Madrid, founded by Pablo Iglesias, which became the core of the PSOE. This party was defined as a Marxist-oriented workerist party that clearly favored the industrial revolution. It presented a reform program including:
- Right of association, assembly, and manifestation
- Universal suffrage
- Reduction of labor hours
- Prohibition of child labor
The UGT union adopted a mass model encompassing all sectors of production and was organized by local offices. It advocated for remaining unrelated to politics.