Understanding the Impact of Romanization on Spain’s Development
With Latin penetrating Roman law, there is a substantial basis for modern law. In literature, there were important contributions from Hispanic authors and Seneca. With regard to religion, there was religious tolerance, the implantation of Roman civic cults, and cults identified with the similar Roman Iberian, which allowed indigenous cults. Christianity was imposed as the official religion of the Empire by Emperor Theodosius of Hispanic descent.
• The Demographic Trends in Spain: The demographic characteristics of Spain at the time are as follows: in the nineteenth century, there was slow growth due to high mortality rates (poor hygiene, low agricultural production, endemic diseases), reflected in a short life expectancy. This situation continued until 1885 when it began to drop to below 29 ‰ at the end of the nineteenth century (demographic transition). In the early twentieth century, changes occurred as mortality and birth rates fell simultaneously, resulting in a mortality rate growth that was the highest in Europe (comparable to some developing countries today). The only exception was Catalonia, which experienced an advanced demographic transition. Regarding migratory movements, they were irrelevant until the end of the nineteenth century due to anti-migration policies, economic stagnation, agricultural protectionism, and currency fluctuations. From the late nineteenth century to World War I (marked a break), there was a peak in outward migration, especially to South America and the Caribbean from the North Peninsula and the Canary Islands. As for internal migration, it accentuated the demographic distribution that continues today, with depopulation in the center of the peninsula and concentration in the North and Mediterranean, rising from World War I and the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.
• The Crisis of 1917: World War I (1914-1918) exacerbated the outstanding problems of the Restoration. Spain remained neutral, which initially provided economic benefits to countries in conflict, increasing the pace of industrialization and the influx of capital to buy industries and businesses by foreign companies. However, in the medium term, this caused an excess of exports and an increase in inflation (due to foreign demand). This was remedied with a rise in wages that further increased the inflationary spiral, leading to massive layoffs and a maintenance of prices to sustain profits, which caused labor unrest, also influenced by the Russian example. At that moment, two other problems converged: the military issues in 1906 with the Law of Jurisdictions and the promotion systems in Morocco, which led to the emergence of the Boards of Defense (illegal military unions) that the government wanted to dissolve. The political opposition, consisting of Republicans, the League, and some Socialists, thought they could gain support from soldiers and workers to achieve political change. They agreed to meet in Barcelona (assembly of parliamentarians) to apply these changes to the press by the military government and workers, the latter creating a committee to carry out a general strike in support of change. The government attempted to resolve the crisis by conceding to the military’s demands in return for their support. The assembly ended in a semi-failure, and the general strike failed due to disunity and the support of workers for the government by the military. The government appeared to have controlled the situation but had not solved any problems and had aggravated others (yielding to military pressure).
· Manifesto of Primo de Rivera: Analysis: The manifesto begins by justifying the coup as a solution to the problems of Spain and its causes (the politicians), which date back to 1898. The proposed solution is the creation of an Interim Military Directory. It refers to the main problem of the moment, the situation in Morocco, providing an ambiguous output. The text again blames the political troubles stemming from the loss of the last colonies in 1868, especially the corrupt political parties and the caciques of the Restoration, social unrest, and the military disaster in Morocco. The Military Directory marked the first stage of the dictatorship (1923-1925), with a government formed by the military. Dynastic politicians were replaced or shifted (in municipalities and county councils) with others related to the dictatorship problem. The colonial government maintained its stance against the indigenous tribes (territory of the Rif) that rejected the protectorate or Spanish rule. Episodes such as the Tragic Week (Barcelona 1909) and especially the “Annual Disaster” (1921) raised questions about responsibility for the defeat.
· PSOE Founding Program: Analysis: This is a fragment of the founding program of the PSOE, which in the first three paragraphs shows its analysis of Spanish society at the time. 1. It speaks of a class society divided into bourgeoisie (dominant) and proletariat (dominated). 2. It discusses the economic denomination and its consequences. 3. It states that the maintenance of that society is based on political power control. – Bourgeoisie: According to the Marxist definition, this is the class possessing the means of production (the large social group of wealthy financial position that benefited from the liberal revolution). – Proletariat: According to the Marxist definition, this is the class of those who had only their labor (employees who constituted the industrial workforce). – Political power: According to Marxism, the bourgeoisie used the State to maintain the socio-economic status quo, in this case, the state of the Restoration, which was an oligarchic political system (government by the few for their benefit and that of their social group).
· Romanization: The conquest of the Iberian Peninsula developed in stages between the year 218 BC, marking the beginning of Roman intervention in the peninsula during the struggles between Rome and Carthage (2nd Punic War), and 19 BC when the territories north of the peninsula were taken over. Roman rule lasted until the collapse of the empire in the late 5th century AD. Romanization included: – Economy: Exploitation of resources such as metals (gold and silver), and slaves (townspeople revolted against the Romans) used in mines, estates, and agricultural resources. Agriculture was based on the exploitation of the Mediterranean triad: cereals (wheat), grapes, and olives. The Romans introduced the plow and extended irrigation. Crafts included the salted fish industry and pottery. Trade development was stimulated by the use of coins and the creation of a communications network (roads). – Society: Development of an urban civilization. Creation of new cities. The city was an essential part of the administrative management of the empire, serving as the center of political power, commodity exchange, and social life. The older districts of the city were the provinces (at the end of the Empire, there were six: Gallaecia, Lusitania, Baetica, Carthaginensis, Tarraconensis, and the Balearic Islands). At the beginning of the century, the Romans created subdivisions of the province called conventus. – Culture: The cultural legacy of Rome is reflected in language, law, and religion. The progressive introduction and triumph of their language, Latin, laid the foundation for the Romance languages: Castilian, Galician, and Catalan.