Spain’s 19th Century: Agriculture, Population, and Industrialization
Agricultural Changes in 19th Century Spain
Liberal Land Reform
Abolition of the *Señorial* Regime
- Disentailment
- Confiscation of land
- Agricultural trade liberalization
Consolidation of Private Land Ownership
Land was placed in the hands of asset owners, favoring production improvement in the property systems.
Stimulation of Agricultural Marketing
This stimulated improvements in agricultural marketing and production. However, Spain as a whole did not achieve the creation of a middle class of small landowners, leading to a poor peasantry and social conflict.
Agricultural Growth
Limited Changes in Spain
- Increased cultivated area for cereals, vines, corn, and potatoes
- Irregular distribution of property: small farms and large agricultural estates
- This delay hindered industrialization
Dynamic Sectors
- The “Golden Age” of wine
- Insufficient grain production and a vegetable food deficit
Population Growth in 19th Century Spain
Spain
Spain experienced lower population growth compared to other industrialized countries, with high birth and mortality rates.
Catalonia
Catalonia had the largest population growth, marking the beginning of the demographic transition.
Growing Urbanization in 19th Century Spain
Spain
Limited rural exodus due to the scarcity of agricultural transformation and industrial weakness.
Catalonia
Internal migration from the interior to the coast, leading to the growth of industrial cities.
Overseas Emigration
Causes
Few job opportunities in the countryside.
Destination
Latin American areas, primarily from Asturias, Cantabria, Catalonia, and the Canary Islands.
Industrialization in 19th Century Spain
Spain’s Backwardness Compared to Industrialized Countries
Obstacles
- Low purchasing power of farmers
- Eccentric geographical position
- Capital absorbed by debt
- Shortage of energy and raw materials
Unequal Level of Industrialization
- Modern industry:
- Catalonia: Textile
- Basque Country: Steel
Late Dissemination
Food industry, metallurgy, and chemistry.
Catalonia
- Pioneering adoption of steam power and mechanization of production
- Specialization in light industry, including textiles (cotton and wool)
- Two types of textile industries: steam-powered factories and industrial colonies
- Challenges: lack of coal and scarce markets. Use of protectionism.
Mining Expansion
- Wide exploitation of deposits from 1868
- Spanish concessions to foreign companies and export production
Business in 19th Century Spain
Construction of the Railway
- Began in 1855 with the Law of Railways
- Network problems: radial network, wider gauge than in Europe, concessions to foreign companies, and tariff franchises
Market Expansion
Internal Market
- Increased trade thanks to the railway
- Low demand
- Difficulties in restoring the domestic market
External Market
- Increased international trade
- Use of protectionism to protect Spanish industry
Why Spain Did Not Fully Industrialize in the 19th Century
- Geographical Position: Spain’s location in southwestern Europe led to higher transport costs and increased costs of acquiring raw materials.
- Low Purchasing Power: The vast majority of the population had low purchasing power.
- Capital Raised by the State: A large amount of capital was raised by the state, leading to significant debt.
- Unfavorable Allocation of Energy and Raw Materials: Essential resources for industrial development were not optimally allocated.
- Impact of Political Destabilization: Political instability hindered industrial growth.