Spain's Second Industrial Revolution: Systemic Crisis

The Crisis of the System in Spain

The development of the Second Industrial Revolution in Spain, the strengthening of class consciousness among the masses, and the distance between the interests of the nation and the ruling oligarchy led to several crises that signaled the infeasibility of the existing system:

• Regeneration or Fin de Siècle Thought

  Almirall and Costa sought to criticize the oligarchic system, defining the cacique and proposing a model of development based on democratic and institutional regeneration. This included promoting education and public works. The aim was to bridge the economic, social, and political backwardness of Spain compared to Europe, creating a modern society. There were attempts at systemic regeneration, but the oligarchy's refusal to invest slowed any change initiative.

• The Crisis of '98

  The loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the U.S. highlighted the country's political decrepitude on the international stage and served as a wake-up call to the Spanish intelligentsia.

• The Tragic Week

  The popular uprising in Barcelona against the call-up of reservists for the war in Africa highlighted the injustice of the conscription system, the colonial wars, and the growing strength of a working class that was still disorganized compared to the system.

• The Crisis of 1917

  Three movements coincided in this year, demonstrating the system's decline:

  • The Juntas

    Military organizations that advocated for changes within the army, but also in the political system.

  • The Meeting of Parliamentarians of Barcelona

    Deputies outside the two ruling parties attempted to convene constituent courts to transform the Restoration system.

  • The General Strike

    Convened by UGT, initially in solidarity with the Valencia streetcar workers, it soon manifested the strength of the labor movement.

• The Bolshevik Six Years (1917-1923)

  The economic crisis following World War I increased the gangsterism and violence between employers and CNT, affecting industrial workers.

• The Dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera

  This marked the end of a system that was unworkable due to the concentrated opposition, becoming the guarantee for safeguarding the interests of the traditional oligarchy.