Labor Movements, Societal Shifts, and Women’s Rights in the 19th and 20th Centuries
Labor Movement’s Fierce Fight for a Better Life
In the 19th century, workers began to improve their working conditions by destroying the machines (Luddism) to which they blamed their situation. From the first half of the 19th century, doctrines and organizations emerged.
The Principal Doctrines
Thinkers analyzed society and began to advocate for a different society. This encompassed two ideological currents:
- Marxism was the ideology that had the most influence on the proletariat. The key to capitalist society was the private property of the means of production and the exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie. Through class dislocation, the proletariat would defeat the bourgeoisie, and after the first phase of the proletariat’s dictatorship, the fairest society would be established: communism, in which social classes would disappear. Marx defended the intervention of organizations and workers’ parties in politics. This gave origin to the socialist parties. Its main fuel was universal suffrage, as many could not vote.
- Anarchism rejects any form of organization imposed on people. They oppose the state and aspire to replace it with some type of voluntary association. They reject politics, politicians, parties, and participation in elections.
Workers’ Organizations and Achievements
Industrial workers organized into unions to defend and improve their working conditions. It was not until the last quarter of the 19th century that the number of affiliates and organizations grew. The pressure from the workers was evident, and the fundamental demands were clear: reduction of working hours, suppression of child labor, improvement of working conditions, and the creation of a system that would ensure against unemployment, illness, and old age.
Employers did not hesitate to use economic sanctions and dismissals. In an attempt to coordinate the different workers’ organizations worldwide, the First and Second Internationals were created. From 1890, governments legislated to end the abuses of employers: work of women and children (prohibition of child labor and the first maternity leave), work accidents (with the obligation of employers to pay workers in case of an accident), and reduction of the working day (8 hours).
Migration
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, significant demographic growth took place. At the same time, an intense process of urbanization occurred on the continent. Cities could not absorb all the rural exodus, and the situation in the city became increasingly difficult for a percentage of the population. Between 1815 and 1914, 65 million Europeans migrated to other continents.
Early Society and Everyday Life
Everyday life changed profoundly with industrialization. In some homes, installations such as heating or running water began to be enjoyed.
The media began to acquire great importance. The most popular medium was the mass-circulation newspaper. Radio followed.
The increase in production from 1870 made prices cheaper. This gave rise to a consumer society. The emergence of advertising encouraged consumerism, and the generalization of installment purchases favored workers and the middle class.
Leisure was popularized, favored by the reduction of the working day. Modern leisure venues had cinemas, and sports became more popular. In the summer, paid vacations began to become popular.
The Improvement of Women’s Condition
By the end of the 19th century, women suffered an unjust situation of inequality. The first women’s groups emerged, demanding equality with men. Initially, they focused their demands on the right to vote (suffrage), which is why they are known as suffragettes. They also fought for their economic, educational, and legal rights. This process generated intense controversy and tension. Before the First World War, few advances had been made. The situation changed after the Great War, which involved the mobilization of more than 20 million men across Europe. Consequently, the vacant jobs had to be covered by women, who demonstrated that they could maintain their countries just like men.