Spanish Labor Movement: From Early Protests to Internationalism

Start of the Labor Movement in Spain

Workers began to react, protest, and organize against the prevailing conditions. This early phase saw significant uprisings and the formation of nascent labor organizations.

Early Protests and Luddism (1820-1830)

In this initial period, protests primarily targeted the mechanization of production. Luddism emerged as the first expression of worker revolt against machines, which were perceived as jeopardizing their jobs. This often involved arson and the destruction of machinery. However, workers soon understood that the core problem was not the machines themselves, but rather the unfair distribution of profits and inadequate wages. This realization led to the emergence of the first worker associations, particularly in Catalonia.

A pivotal moment occurred when textile manufacturers decided to enlarge the size of fabric pieces without increasing wages. This decision ignited widespread worker protests, leading to the formation of the Weavers' Society. These early organizations functioned as mutual protection societies, where workers paid a fee to maintain a fund for resistance. Despite facing strong opposition from employers and responding to the prohibition of workers' associations, unionism began to take root.

The Progressive Biennium and Early Unionism (1854-1856)

The Progressive Biennium marked the true beginning of class-based unionism. Slowly, "class consciousness" spread among workers, prompting them to propose collective actions aimed at addressing common problems. During this period, Barcelona witnessed its first general strike, triggered by the introduction of new spinning machines. Two workers were dispatched to Madrid to present their complaints, accompanied by 33,000 signatures from across the country. In response, courts developed a law that established a half-day workday for children and a maximum of 10 hours for those under 18 years old. After the biennium concluded, and following the initial triumph of workers' associations, O'Donnell reinstated their illegality.

The Arrival of Internationalism (1868-1874)

The period between 1868 and 1874 saw the significant penetration of international socialist and anarchist ideas into Spain, profoundly shaping the nascent labor movement.

Utopianism and Republicanism in Spain

Socialist doctrines began to spread in Spain, notably in Cádiz. A prominent figure in Spanish socialism was Joaquín Abreu, who advocated for the creation of "phalansteries" (cooperatives of production and consumption). Utopianism, which had increased its penetration, and federal republicanism both defended a program focused on the establishment of a republican regime.

The International Workingmen's Association in Spain

Socialist and anarchist ideas arrived in Spain, leading to the formation of the first nuclei of the First International Workingmen's Association (AIT). The AIT's presence in Spain is largely attributed to the trip of Giuseppe Fanelli in 1868, during which he established the initial groups. In 1870, the Barcelona Congress was celebrated, leading to the founding of the Spanish Regional Federation (FRE). This congress approved the use of strikes as a means of action and emphasized the necessity of preparing workers for social revolution.

Crises and Schism within the Spanish Regional Federation

The diffusion of Marxist theories in Spain prompted a group of internationalists to advocate for "emancipation in Madrid," a campaign emphasizing the need for the conquest of political power. Discrepancies between the various international currents resulted in the expulsion of this group from the FRE and the subsequent foundation of the New Madrid Federation.