19th Century Spain: Population and Social Class

Population and Social Class in 19th Century Spain

• The Spanish population increased from 10 to 20 million inhabitants during the 19th century, a slower rate of growth than other industrialized Western European countries.
• Traditional social classes of the Old Regime evolved into a modern, capitalist class-based society.
• The aristocracy, despite losing feudal rights, gained economic power through Desamortizations and integrated into the ruling bourgeoisie group.
• The Church lost significant economic power and social influence due to the Desamortizations.
• The bourgeoisie, composed of industrialists, financiers, high-ranking military officers, and administrators, sought social equality with the aristocracy.
• Middle classes, composed of merchants, workshop owners, army officers, public employees, lawyers, and doctors, had social prominence in cities.
• The lower middle class consisted of shopkeepers and artisans working in small, minimally mechanized workshops.
• Peasant laborers, the largest population segment, mostly worked as day laborers. Harsh conditions led to numerous rural revolts.
• Industrial workforce, especially in Catalonia, grew rapidly because of rural exodus—former peasants and artisans seeking city jobs.
• Harsh factory and slum conditions heightened worker awareness, stimulating labor associations and early unions.
• Domestic service positions, primarily for women, were frequent in aristocratic, bourgeois, and middle-class households.

Economic Changes and Desamortizations

• The Spanish economy slowly changed during the 19th century, influenced by the Industrial Revolution and liberal economic models.
• Three economic phases defined the 19th century: decline (1800-1830), growth (1830-1875), and industrial growth (1875-1914).
• The primary sector, agriculture, faced significant challenges including five subsistence crises in the latter half of the 19th century.
• Traditional landownership, with the Church and rentier aristocracy dominant, hindered investment and production.
• Liberal reforms sought to modernize land ownership, driving the Desamortizations.

The Desamortizations

• Desamortizations were government-led land expropriations from the Church and other institutions, sold at public auction.
• The aim was to create more productive land ownership structures and fund economic/military needs.
• The 1836 Desamortización, by Mendizábal, targeted clergy, monasteries, convents, art, and books.
• This aimed to fund the Carlist Wars and reduce national debt.
• The 1855 Desamortización, by Madoz, further reformed land ownership, including municipal land, other church property, military orders, and charities.

Impact of the Desamortizations

• Desamortizations shifted land ownership from feudal to private capitalist structures.
• Although improving agriculture, land ownership remained concentrated.
• Public debt did not significantly decrease, but raised support for liberal causes among land buyers.
• Aristocracy and bourgeoisie were the primary beneficiaries, expanding their property holdings.
• Loss of national heritage: many artworks and valuable items were sold/dispersed during the Desamortizations.
• Church wealth decreased, compensated by government subsidies for clergy and education support.
• Peasant economic situations worsened due to loss of communal land, heightened day laborer numbers.

Explore the demographic and social transformations in 19th century Spain. The population doubled, and traditional social classes evolved into a modern, capitalist-based society. Key shifts included the aristocracy's economic gains, the Church's diminishing power, and the rise of the bourgeoisie.