Spain's 19th Century: Population, Agriculture, and Industry

Spain in the 19th Century: A Period of Transformation

Population Growth and Urbanization

Spain experienced a significant population increase of 60% during the 19th century, particularly in regions like Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia, the Canary Islands, and the Basque Country. This growth was fueled by several factors, including:

• Decreased mortality rates
• Increased agricultural production
• Improved diet and hygiene
• Medical advancements

Simultaneously, a wave of migrant farmers contributed to increased urbanization. The driving forces behind this migration were:

• Abolition of the manorial system
• Concentration of land ownership
• Harsh living conditions in rural areas
• Technical changes in agriculture
• Improvements in agricultural transportation

The migration occurred in two main stages:

1. First step: Migration to major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Vizcaya.
2. Second stage: Emigration to Cuba and other parts of the Americas.

Catalonia saw the development of industrial centers, particularly in Barcelona, Vallès Occidental, Bages, and Baix Llobregat.

Agrarian Liberal Reform

The 19th century witnessed a significant liberal agrarian reform. This package of reforms aimed to dissolve the Old Regime by separating property rights and disamortizing Church lands. While agricultural production increased, many farmers transitioned into laborers. The agricultural landscape was characterized by large estates and small, non-mechanized landholdings (smallholders). In Catalonia, the Sentencia de Guadalupe established a system that allowed farmers to retain a portion of their production. This led to specialization in viticulture, olive orchards, and fruit trees.

Industrial Development

Catalan Textile Industry

Catalonia's textile industry experienced significant growth, particularly in the production of calico (cotton prints). The 1830s saw the introduction of mechanization, including spinning machines and the first steam engine, leading to the establishment of factories (known as "vapors"). Industrial estates were often located near rivers to utilize water power.

Shipbuilding

• Andalusia: Had ovens that disappeared in the early 19th century.
• Asturias: Produced lower-quality iron but had abundant coal resources.
• Basque Country: Exported iron to Great Britain in exchange for Welsh coke coal, which was of higher quality and more affordable. This trade spurred the growth of mechanical engineering, shipbuilding companies, and a supporting banking sector, including Banco Bilbao Vizcaya (BBV).

Barriers to Industrialization

Despite these advancements, Spain faced several barriers to industrialization:

• Low purchasing power of the population due to widespread poverty
• Lack of investment
• Transportation problems
• Scarcity of energy sources
• Geographical distance from the industrial centers of Europe

Catalonia advocated for the imposition of taxes on foreign goods in the Spanish market to protect local production.

Mining

Spain had significant deposits of lead, copper, mercury, and zinc. The operation of these mines was often awarded to foreign companies, and the extracted minerals were exported to other European countries. Coal (primarily from Asturias) and iron (mainly from Vizcaya) were the most important minerals. Catalonia also had rich salt and potash mines.

Railways

The construction of railways began after the General Railways Act of 1855. The network was designed with a radial structure, centered in Madrid. The railways had a positive impact on the economy by:

• Facilitating the movement of people and goods
• Promoting the formation of an internal market