Why Spain Failed to Industrialize in the 19th Century

The reasons for this decision were technical: the ability to install larger boilers to increase the power of the locomotives, which were needed to overcome the steepest gradients. Thirdly, the law authorized construction companies to import all necessary materials for the construction of the Xarc railway duty-free. Fourthly, state subsidies were granted to companies (mostly foreign) per square kilometer of road built, which gave rise to an "irrational" path.

Barriers to Industrialization

Why was Spain not fully industrialized in the nineteenth century? First, one must take into account that Spain's geographical position meant that transport costs were higher than in the industrialized countries of Central Europe. Consequently, distance was a major disadvantage, affecting the cost of raw materials and exports.

Another major cause is related to agricultural backwardness and the scarce purchasing power of the vast majority of the population. With revenues scarce, most farmers spent a very high percentage of their salary on food; for this reason, the availability of funds for manufactured goods was very low. Therefore, the industry had little demand and few incentives to increase production.

This also had a negative impact on many cities captured by the estate. The existence of high-interest public debt absorbed much capital that, in other circumstances, could have been invested in productive activities. It is also necessary to emphasize the unfavorable provision of energy and raw materials for basic industrial development. In Spain, mines were limited.

Resource and Political Constraints

Coal was plentiful, but the product was of poor quality and low calorific value due to the structure of the veins. In addition, water was a scarce resource in much of the country due to seasonality. Finally, one must also assess the impact of political destabilization. Investment policy requires favorable expectations, and during most of the century, war and instability were a constant reality in Spain.

The Role of Women in the 19th Century

The role of women in Spanish society of the nineteenth century was determined by the traditional concept of domestic maintenance, depriving them of all legal or political rights. Beyond lineage, family, or wealth, women had few other life conditions.

• Elite Women: Possessed an essential destination: marriage. They were expected to be mothers and wives who were helpful and pleasant. Their education was adjusted to these expectations: a small cultural basis to maintain a social life, knowledge of household occupations, and strict morality. Since 1868, demands for education increased, but they remained far from universities and workplaces.
• Working-Class Women: Farmers and laborers constituted a significant workforce, alongside their sons and husbands. Women of the working classes made up 90% of the population and had little in common with bourgeois women.