Spanish Socio-Political & Nationalist Movements in the Late 19th Century
Socio-Political Movements in Late 19th Century Spain
The Labor Movement
The International Labour movement was characterized by two opposing ideologies: anarchism and Marxism. Both were present in Spain since the Democratic Sexenio and active during the Restoration period. The potential for legal action led anarchists to form the Federation of the Spanish Region.
Anarchist tendencies followed the theories of Bakunin, who proposed collectivization except for the fruits of labor, and Kropotkin, who advocated for complete collectivization. Generally pacifist, the anarchist movement experienced isolated acts of violence by individual activists, often motivated by revenge. One example is the assassination of the Prime Minister.
Founded in 1879 by Pablo Iglesias, the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Democratic Party immediately joined the Second International. Their newspaper, El Socialista, became the primary means of disseminating their ideas. The party’s founding program aimed for the complete emancipation of the working class, the abolition of classes, the transformation of individual ownership into collective ownership, and control of political power by the working class.
Following the Second International’s guidelines, May 1st celebrations began, initiating the tradition of demonstrations that would influence the working class. From that year on, the Socialist Party participated in all elections, maintaining an isolationist policy of non-cooperation with bourgeois parties. Their criticism of recruitment and the anti-colonial war garnered popular support. At the turn of the century, socialism gained its first parliamentary representatives.
Catholic social action also emerged during this time. The Pope denounced Marxist theory and encouraged active political participation based on the Gospel. In Spain, Father Vincent pioneered this movement by creating Catholic Worker Circles.
Regionalism
One of the most significant political developments of the late nineteenth century was the rise of nationalist and regionalist movements. Previously, anti-centralist sentiments were channeled through Carlism or federal republicanism.
Catalan Nationalism
Several factors contributed to the emergence of Catalan nationalism, including the development of an industrial bourgeoisie eager to defend its interests. They found ideological support in federalist and provincialist ideals, along with the historical presence of Carlism in the region.
The first Catalan association, the Centre Catalá, was founded. Another group, the Lliga de Catalunya, advocated for political reforms, including the formation of a Catalan government, official recognition of the Catalan language, Catalan-language education, and a Catalan court system.
In 1892, the Unió Catalanista was formed to unite all groups defending Catalan institutions. A year later, the Bases de Manresa, written by Prat de la Riba, outlined a vision for Catalan autonomy.
During a national political crisis, Catalan nationalists petitioned the Queen Regent for administrative autonomy. A significant event was the publication of General Polavieja’s manifesto.
The first Catalan political party, the Regionalist League, was formed to participate in elections called by Sagasta. Initially a cross-class regionalist party, it was primarily dominated by conservatives and the rural population. Its leaders were Prat de la Riba and Enric Prat de la Riba.
Basque Nationalism
To understand Basque nationalism, several factors must be considered. A decree ending tax and military exemptions enjoyed by the Basque Country fueled the movement. The industrialization process threatened the traditional Basque social structure. The removal of Basque privileges led to the fuerismo movement. Culturally, the Bilbao Euskalerria society promoted the recovery of the Basque language (Euskera).
Sabino Arana defended the superiority of the Basque race, customs, and traditional Catholicism, espousing anti-Spanish sentiment and coining the term “Euskadi” to denote the common homeland of all Basques.
The Bizkai Buru Batzar (BBB) became the precursor to the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). Arana was later compelled to moderate his anti-Spanish rhetoric.