Social Transformation in Spain: 19th to 20th Century
Social Transformation in Spain
The Demographic Cycle in Spain
The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Europe was a period of continued population growth. However, Spain remained in the demographic cycle of the old regime until the twentieth century due to poor sanitary conditions, the impact of epidemics (tuberculosis, cholera, and yellow fever), the poverty of the population, and dependence on agriculture. This dependence meant that a poor harvest was fatal to the mortality of the population.
Migration and Urban Growth
In Spain, there was more growth in the periphery as people migrated inland to more urban, industrialized areas, while Madrid was an exception. Growth occurred mainly in the first half of the twentieth century, thanks to a decline in mortality. The causes of this decline included improvements in nutrition, advances in medicine, and a decrease in epidemics, which increased the quality of life.
Life Expectancy and Urban Reforms
Life expectancy in the early twentieth century was much lower than that of other European countries such as England or France. This growth led to reforms in the cities that tore down the walls and built taller, modern buildings. Yet, 70% of the population remained rural.
Social Transformation and Class Society
A massive social transformation throughout the nineteenth century marked the transition from the old regime to a class society, where membership in a group depended on wealth and occupation. Liberal governments guaranteed freedom and equality of privileges, dismantling the estates of the old regime. However, social inequalities persisted between a few rich individuals and a poor mass.
Emergence of New Social Groups
- High Nobility: Held political influence and property but lost financial power to the bourgeoisie, who were devoted to industry.
- Bourgeoisie: Linked to trade, business, and banking, seeking economic and political influence through marriage with the nobility.
- Ruling Class: A new oligarchy formed by the alliance of the bourgeoisie and nobility.
- Lower Nobility: Lost privileges and rose to become medium landowners, often anti-liberal in nature.
- Clergy: Lost power and money due to confiscations but retained influence among peasant women and education.
- Urban Middle Class: A heterogeneous group with low wages.
- Urban Underclass: Included factory workers, domestic workers, beggars, and vagabonds.
- Rural Lower Classes: The majority of the population, increasingly mechanized, with a growing number of owners.
- Women: Dependent on male relatives, with no legal rights; bourgeois women stayed at home while lower-class women worked out of economic necessity.
Social Struggles and Economic Development
This development of the economy and society was not represented among the upper classes, leading to intensified social struggles during the twentieth century. Throughout the nineteenth century, wages increased by 30%, but prices rose by 70%. Workers lived in neighborhoods without electricity, sewage, or running water, compounded by harsh working conditions.
Labor Movements and Ideologies
Liberal legislation regulating working conditions was often ignored, and workers’ associations were banned due to violent protests. Initially, these protests were Luddite in nature but later focused on improving working conditions and the right of association. Strikes became a common method of struggle, despite being outlawed. Notably, the 1885 strike in Barcelona protested the introduction of new spinning machines.
Agrarian Revolts and Utopian Socialism
Agrarian revolts also occurred due to municipal confiscations. The working ideology of utopian socialism sought an egalitarian society without money, linking it to republicanism. The International Workingmen’s Association (1868-1874) entered Spain to defend the emancipation of the working population, amalgamating various ideologies and advocating for freedom of association. In 1869, anarchism emerged, gaining significant traction among the working population.
Repression and the Rise of PSOE
Repression of the 1st International in 1872 led to a split between Marxists and anarchists, although the First Republic revived these ideals. The PSOE was founded in 1886, consisting of Marxist socialist workers who published “Socialist.” Their political program defended the right of association, assembly, and demonstration; universal suffrage; reduction of working hours; and the prohibition of child labor. The UGT also emerged in 1888, advocating for cautious approaches to war.
Conclusion
The first laws governing labor emerged in the early twentieth century, marking a significant shift in the labor landscape of Spain.