Spain’s Economic and Social Transformation in the 19th Century
Economic Modernization
Spain’s economic development in the 19th century was limited. It remained a predominantly agricultural country with little industry, and its industrial implementation was delayed compared to other European countries. However, in the last quarter of the century, significant political, social, and economic transformations laid the groundwork for 20th-century economic modernization.
Demographic Changes
This period saw a significant rural exodus, with a final wave of emigration from rural areas to urban centers. While the active population in the primary sector (agriculture) remained around 65%, indicating limited industrialization, Catalonia was an exception. 46% of Catalonia’s population worked in the industrial sector.
Agricultural Changes
Agriculture was the most important sector of the Spanish economy in the 19th century. Traditional arable production methods remained stagnant. However, more modernized production methods, dedicated to olive trees, grapevines, and citrus for export, experienced growth. Land ownership remained largely concentrated in the hands of the aristocracy.
Industrial Change
The Industrial Revolution occurred later in Spain than in other European countries due to several factors: a lack of capital, technological backwardness, and insufficient demand for industrial products. Two major industrial centers emerged: the textile industry in Catalonia and the iron and steel industry in the Basque Country.
The Railway in Spain
Like in other countries, the railway was crucial for articulating the national market in Spain. Materials could be transported more quickly. However, it did not fully satisfy the demands of Spanish industrialization. Several factors contributed to this:
- Foreign firms, especially French ones, primarily built the railroad in Spain.
- The technicians were also foreign.
- Tariffs and customs taxes on rail products were lowered, favoring foreign imports.
- The railway network was radial, prioritizing quantitative criteria over qualitative ones.
- The width of the Spanish track was greater than the European standard.
- The terrain made the construction of railway lines significantly more expensive, almost five times more than in other parts of Europe.
Social Classes
- Ruling Classes: Held social, political, and economic power, and had the right to vote (universal suffrage).
- Middle Classes:
- Upper-Middle Class: Tended to vote Conservative, often comprised of liberal professionals.
- Lower-Middle Class: Tended to vote Liberal and Progressive.
- Working Classes:
- Urban: Servants
- Rural: Farmers
Krausism
The liberal bourgeois ideology was influenced by Krausist philosophy. Krausism criticized religious education and advocated for secular educational reform that would promote tolerance and freedom of thought.
Krausists
Krausists supported the Institución Libre de Enseñanza (Free Institution of Education), which aimed to form intellectual and professional elites with progressive ideals.
Architecture
Architectural styles of the period included Neoclassicism and Romanticism, giving rise to eclectic styles such as Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance. Examples include the Neo-Gothic facade of the Barcelona Cathedral and the Crystal Palace in Madrid’s Retiro Park.
Painting
Prominent themes in 19th-century Spanish painting included family portraits, folk customs, historical events, the exoticism of other cultures, and the Spanish landscape. An example is Columbus Leaving Palos by Eduardo Cano de la Peña. Joaquín Sorolla, an Impressionist painter, emphasized the role of light in his works, such as in his painting *Paseo a orillas del mar*.