Spain in the 19th Century: Society and Economy
Population and Demographics in 19th Century Spain
Population Growth: Population growth was moderated by maintaining high rates of both low birth and mortality rates.
Distribution of the Population: There was a stark contrast between the densely populated coastal periphery and the sparsely inhabited center of the peninsula. Contrasts also existed between rural and urban areas. The majority of the population continued to live in the countryside, although cities grew due to rural exodus, particularly in the new industrial centers of Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Madrid.
Agricultural Transformations
The main agricultural changes were the abolition of the seigneurial regime, the confiscation of property, and the introduction of certain agricultural improvements.
- The Abolition of the Feudal System: Jurisdictional lordships were transferred to the state, and territorial lordships became private property.
- The Confiscation: This involved the sale of assets associated with institutions such as the nobility, the clergy, and municipalities. State and Church property were auctioned. Primogeniture was abolished, and municipalities were forced to sell their land (Madoz, 1855). The objectives were to obtain resources for the state and facilitate access to land for the peasantry. However, the system of sale by auction benefited wealthy groups and undermined small owners. It also negatively affected tenants and laborers by hardening their working conditions.
- Improvements: These consisted of an increase in cultivated area and the introduction of technical advances, such as the use of fertilizers, machinery, and the expansion of irrigation.
The First Industrial Revolution in Spain
The first Industrial Revolution began around 1830. Several factors caused delayed industrialization:
- Political Instability: The unstable political situation and insufficient population growth hindered industrial development.
- Economic Factors: Agrarian transformations diverted capital from many nobles and the bourgeoisie to purchase land, impoverishing the peasantry. Internal trade was affected by transport differences, and foreign trade was low.
- Social Factors: A lack of an entrepreneurial bourgeoisie willing to invest in industry and business. Agrarian transformations diverted capital from nobles and the bourgeoisie to buying land, as land was still considered the basis of social prestige.
Main Industrial Sectors:
- The cotton textile industry was concentrated in Catalonia. It was located near rivers or ports.
- The steel industry began in Andalusia and Asturias and later moved to the Basque Country.
Tertiary Activities and Infrastructure
Transport improved over the 19th century. Roads were built, and the railway network was established. The first railway line was built in 1848 between Barcelona and Mataró. From the mid-19th century, a radial network was built, connecting the capital with the main ports.
- Internal trade was limited.
- Foreign trade was impacted by the loss of colonial markets.
- Finance and capitalism were driven by economic development. Many corporations and banks emerged (Bank of Spain, 1856). The Madrid and Barcelona Stock Exchanges were created.
The New Class Society
The stratified society of the Old Regime was replaced by a new class society.
- The Upper Class: Composed of the nobility and the gentry. The old landed nobility lost their privileges but consolidated their position and maintained their economic, social, and political influence. The gentry, a small group whose income derived from trading and securities, was attracted to purchasing disentailed land and seeking ennoblement. The industrial bourgeoisie had less weight, given the limited industrial development.
- The Middle Class: Included middle landowners and urban professionals, civil servants, etc.
- The Lower Class: In the countryside, it was formed by small landowners, tenants, and laborers. In cities, it consisted of employees, salaried workers, and the new factory workers.
Social Conflicts and the Labor Movement
Social conflicts were prevalent in the 19th century.
- Laborers: Suffered from low wages and seasonal unemployment, leading to numerous uprisings.
- Industrial Workers: Faced long hours, low wages, lack of insurance, exploitation of women and children, and harsh conditions.
The labor movement emerged to address these problems. Their initial forms of protest involved the spontaneous destruction of machinery. Later, labor unions were formed to demand better wages and working conditions. These unions had little importance until freedom of assembly and association was recognized during the *Sexenio Revolucionario*.