Railroad Construction and the First Republic in 19th-Century Spain
Railroad Construction in 19th-Century Spain
This is a historiography text, the work of historian G. Tortella, analyzing the historical past of Spain in the nineteenth century. It is a secondary source for the general public interested in historical subjects.
Key Themes
The author refers to the time when the Spanish state provided the basis for the development of railways in Spain and explains the reasons why it took 30 years to put it into operation, indicating underdevelopment and mismanagement by the rulers. Although the railway was initiated late, its implementation was rushed, resulting in poor planning, inadequate funding, and a speculative path. Finally, the author suggests that the benefits were nonexistent.
Commentary on Industrial Backwardness
The industrial backwardness of Spain in the first half of the nineteenth century was obvious, as Spain was still a totally agricultural nation. There was a shortage of bourgeoisie, who were devoted mainly to investment in land and not industrial activity. On the other hand, there was little demand for industrial products because an ineffective land reform did not address the vast inequalities of the population. Thus, for the birth of industrial activity, it had to pass through the hands of the state and foreign capital, as Tortella said. Progressives had to make a series of reforms, a new constitution, and the final confiscation.
The Railways Act of 1855
Article 2 of the Railways Act of 1855 shows the radial system planned for railway construction, i.e., a road structure centered in Madrid. Articles 4, 5, and 6 indicate that the total planning initiative of the railway works was born of the state, which worked in conjunction with the private sector in Spain. Articles 19 and 20 tell us about the other main pillar on which railway construction was based: foreign capital. The state protected these funds from abroad and even eliminated taxes for products and materials for the railroad.
Implications and Contributions to Development
- Its construction benefited foreign companies rather than Spanish ones.
- The Spanish industry also benefited from the process, as it only took charge of building the network from the crisis of 1866. Since 1870, the railroad was built with Spanish material.
- The railway, therefore, was not the Spanish motor industry.
- An interior network was developed for coal mining, which increased demand for coal.
Conclusion
Leaving aside the debate on the “missed opportunity or not” that meant the law of 1855, it should be noted that objectively the railroad was a major breakthrough in Spain in the nineteenth century and contributed greatly to improving trade and communications within the country. These factors favored the industrial take-off and better articulation of the Spanish domestic market. And these advances we owe to the law of 1855, as it was basically the foundation of the Spanish railway that still exists today.
The First Republic
This is a text of a legal and political nature. It is the work of Francesc Pi i Margall, one of the four presidents of the executive during the Spanish Federal Republic in 1873. This text is the first declaration of the Assembly, made by the joint meeting of the Senate and Congress, which declared the Republic after the abdication of Amadeo I of Savoy.
Key Ideas of the Text
The author highlights how the arrival of the new regime has been without violence but does not mention problems that had involved the reign of Amadeo and the various governments, as well as the internal division of the parties that supported the cause of the new king, the Progressive Party and the Liberal Union. The three words on which the social bases relied upon were: order, freedom, and justice.
The Future of the First Republic
The future of the First Republic was linked to domestic circumstances and foreign policy it had to face:
- The Carlist War began in the spring of 1872, against the Republic and against supporters of the throne to restore the Bourbons.
- Cantonalism, a phenomenon that occurred as a result of the poor response of republican governments to the demands of the federal radicals.
- The social question, in a time following the suppression of the internationalist movement, riots surfaced democratic and workers.
External Circumstances
- The international isolation that came under the Republic.
- The Cuban War, which played an important role in the issue of slavery, whose liberty was opposed by the large Cuban landowners and conservative sectors.
Stages of the Republic
Estanislao Figueras (February-May 1873)
Figueras’ stage was undoubtedly the most moderate of the Republic. Four ministers of Amadeo became part of the government, albeit anti-royalist. Estanislao Figueras was finally forced to leave the government and the country, giving way to the federalist republic.
Francisco Pi i Margall (May-July 1873)
After the May elections, the Federalists succeeded. They began drafting a federal constitution, which was not adopted, by which Spain was divided into 17 federal states, each of which would have a government and legislature. But many cities, towns, municipalities, or regions declared independence from Madrid of their own volition.
Nicolás Salmerón (July-September 1873)
With his rise to power, he responded more harshly to cantonalism, which became generalized. In this situation, the army resorted to Salmerón, rebuking him harshly, despite the president’s conciliatory policy.
Emilio Castelar (September 1873 – January 1874)
By the arrival of the new president, the Republic was already in crisis (three conflicts simultaneously: the Cuban War, the Third Carlist War, and cantonalism). He realized that the only way to save the Republic was to abandon federalism, return to centralism, call in the army, apply the death penalty, and reinforce the power of the state. However, his colleagues would not let him, accusing him of being militaristic and dictatorial. On January 2, 1874, Parliament met, but they withdrew their confidence, marking the end of the First Republic.
Conclusion
The First Republic was marked by serious problems that prevented its consolidation: two simultaneous wars (the Third Carlist War and the War of 10 Years in Cuba), a serious internal insurrection (the cantonal movement), the existence of many opponents, a lack of true republicans, and their division between Federalists and Unitarians.