HACIA LA GUERRA CIVIL 5. EL NEFASTO 17 (3/3), LA HUELGA GENERAL REVOLUCIONARIA

Introduction

The video introduces the topic of the third crisis in 1917, specifically focusing on the general strike that took place in August of that year. It mentions the key players involved and their roles in shaping the events leading up to the Spanish Civil War.

The Third Crisis of 1917

• The video discusses the general strike that occurred in August 1917, which marked a significant turning point towards the Spanish Civil War.

• Key figures involved in this crisis include military personnel from different factions, such as those aligned with the juntas de defensa and Africanist soldiers who opposed them.

• Another important group was formed by parliamentarians who gathered in Barcelona to demand reforms from the government, including members of the Radical Republican Party and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

• The strike initially started with railway workers but quickly escalated into a revolutionary general strike on August 13th.

• The government focused its attention on these parliamentarians, suspecting their involvement in organizing and supporting the strike.

Background Leading to Crisis

This section provides background information on previous events leading up to the crisis of 1917. It highlights key political figures and their roles during this period.

Previous Crises and Political Figures

• Prior to the general strike, there were other significant events that contributed to political tensions. These included crises within military defense boards (juntas de defensa) and an assembly of parliamentarians demanding governmental reforms.

• Eduardo Dato served as President of Council of Ministers during this time, having been appointed by King Alfonso XIII after previous military defense board crises.

• On August 10th, a railway workers' strike began, which later evolved into a revolutionary general strike on August 13th.

• Parliamentarians gathered in Barcelona during this period were suspected by the government, particularly members of Radical Republican Party and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), including their leader Pablo Iglesias, who was ill at the time.

Key Players in the Strike

This section focuses on the key figures involved in organizing and leading the general strike of 1917.

Key Figures and Political Parties

• The main actors in the strike were representatives from different political parties: Francisco Largo Caballero and Julián Besteiro from the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), Melquíades Álvarez from the Reformist Party, Marcelino Domingo and Lluís Companys from the Republican Left of Catalonia.

• These individuals would later play significant roles during the Republic era and even into the Spanish Civil War.

• The strike brought together politicians representing various factions that would shape Spain's political landscape for years to come.

Socioeconomic Context

This section provides insight into Spain's socioeconomic context during this period, particularly focusing on how it differed from other European countries due to its isolation from World War I.

Isolation and Economic Impact

• Unlike many European countries embroiled in World War I, Spain remained relatively isolated. This allowed Spanish entrepreneurs, especially those in Catalonia, to profit by selling goods to warring nations.

• The high demand for products led to inflation, which disproportionately affected working-class citizens and government employees.

• Trade unions such as CNT (National Confederation of Labor) and UGT (General Union of Workers) represented workers' interests during this time.

• Military personnel also expressed their discontent through defense boards, including naval infantry defense boards. Additionally, civil defense boards emerged among Ministry of Finance employees.

General Strike Manifesto

This section discusses the manifesto issued during the general strike and highlights its significance given the declaration of a state of war.

Manifesto and State of War

• The government declared a state of war in response to the general strike, rendering the manifesto issued by the striking workers ineffective.

• The manifesto expressed the proletariat's demand for fundamental political regime change in Spain.

• Important national organizations, such as infantry defense boards, had previously affirmed the existence of these demands.

• The military supported the government during this time, making it clear that the striking workers had little chance of success.

Conclusion

This section concludes by summarizing key points discussed throughout the video and highlighting how 1917 marked a significant turning point towards the Spanish Civil War.

Significance and Transition

• The events of 1917 were crucial in shaping Spain's political landscape leading up to the Spanish Civil War.

• Key figures involved in organizing and leading the general strike would go on to play important roles during the Republic era.

• The socioeconomic context, including isolation from World War I and economic disparities, contributed to growing tensions within Spanish society.

• The declaration of a state of war during the general strike further highlighted the limited chances for success among striking workers.

Adherence to the Assembly of Parliamentarians

In this section, the speaker discusses the adherence of numerous municipalities to the conclusions of a previous assembly. Many municipalities, especially in Catalonia where the regionalist league governed, signed a manifesto in support of the assembly.

Adherence to the Assembly

• Many municipalities, particularly in Catalonia, signed a manifesto supporting the assembly of parliamentarians.

• The regionalist league governed many of these municipalities.

• The adherence of numerous municipalities reflects a desire for renewal throughout the country.

Strike Committee and its Branches

This section focuses on the strike committee and its branches in Madrid and Barcelona.

Madrid Strike Committee

• The Madrid strike committee was primarily led by Largo Caballero and Julián Besteiro, along with Saborit and Virginia González.

• Surprisingly, on the second day of the strike, the Madrid committee was arrested due to their informant within the Civil Guard.

• This arrest significantly weakened the movement in Madrid as key leaders were detained and later sentenced to life imprisonment.

Barcelona Strike Committee

• The Barcelona strike committee consisted of diverse political groups.

• It included anarchists (arcos), anarcho-syndicalists (cnt), pestaña vidiella, and Marcelino Domingo from the reformist party.

• Marcelino Domingo had a conservative background but became more radicalized over time.

• The committee's composition reflected various political ideologies within Barcelona.

Differences between Madrid and Barcelona Committees

This section highlights differences between the strike committees in Madrid and Barcelona.

Madrid Committee Arrest

• Surprisingly, on the second day of the strike, members of the Madrid committee were arrested due to an informant within the Civil Guard.

• This arrest severely disrupted the movement in Madrid, as key leaders were detained and later sentenced to life imprisonment.

Barcelona Committee Composition

• The Barcelona committee consisted of diverse political groups, including anarchists, anarcho-syndicalists, pestaña vidiella, and Marcelino Domingo from the reformist party.

• Marcelino Domingo had a conservative background but became more radicalized over time.

Military's Reaction to the Strike

This section discusses the military's reaction to the strike and their alignment with conservative ideologies.

Change in Military Ideology

• The military in 1917 had little resemblance to the liberal military leaders of the past who had supported movements like the liberal movement in the 19th century.

• The military of this time leaned towards conservatism and reacted negatively towards labor movements.

• They held strong Catholic beliefs and opposed anything that challenged traditional values.

Conflict between Labor Movement and Church

This section explores the conflict between the labor movement and the church due to differing ideologies.

Labor Movement's Aversion to Church

• The labor movement held animosity towards the church due to its perceived control over society.

• Many Republicans, particularly those from the Radical Party led by Lerroux, shared this aversion.

• The labor movement's opposition was rooted in a desire for secularism and rejection of religious influence.

Nationalist Sentiments within Military

This section discusses nationalist sentiments within certain members of the military, focusing on Francesc Macià as an example.

Francesc Macià's Background

• Francesc Macià came from a conservative family that had prospered through trade in Vilanova i la Geltrú.

• He pursued a military career, eventually becoming a lieutenant colonel before entering politics in 1907.

• In 1917, he was a retired military officer and an independent deputy in the Cortes.

Macià's Shift towards Catalan Nationalism

This section explores Francesc Macià's shift towards Catalan nationalism over time.

Macià's Political Affiliation

• Francesc Macià had initially been an independent deputy without any political affiliation.

• However, by 1917, he began to embrace nationalist ideas and became more supportive of Catalan nationalism.

• His views aligned with the labor movement's push for autonomy through revolutionary means rather than relying solely on democratic processes.

Labor Movement and Nationalist Ideas

This section discusses how the labor movement provided an opportunity for nationalist ideas to be realized.

Labor Movement as Catalyst for Nationalist Ideas

• The labor movement presented an avenue through which nationalist aspirations could be achieved.

• While the regionalist league (lliga regionalista) opposed the labor movement due to conflicting interests with the bourgeoisie, other nationalists saw potential in aligning with revolutionary workers.

• They believed that convincing workers of internationalism could lead to tangible gains beyond what could be achieved through peaceful means.

Origins of Nationalism and Romanticism

This section delves into the origins of nationalism as a political ideology rooted in romanticism.

Nationalism as Derivative of Romanticism

• Nationalism emerged as a political ideology during the 19th century, stemming from romanticism.

• Historians influenced by romantic ideals revised history to create patriotic symbols and foster a sense of nationhood.

• Catalonia serves as an example of centrifugal nationalism, emphasizing patriotic symbols to instill a sense of belonging among citizens.

Conclusion

The transcript provides insights into the adherence of municipalities to the assembly, the composition and arrest of strike committees in Madrid and Barcelona, the military's conservative stance, conflicts between the labor movement and church, nationalist sentiments within the military, Francesc Macià's shift towards Catalan nationalism, and how the labor movement provided an avenue for nationalist ideas. These factors shaped the dynamics of the time period discussed in the transcript.

The Concept of Nationhood

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of nationhood and its significance in different nationalist movements.

Spanish Nationalism

• Spanish nationalism emerged after the declaration on March 19th, which proclaimed that Spain was no longer under the rule of a lord but a nation.

• The shift from being subjects to citizens was a crucial development in Spanish nationalism.

• Historiography in Spain focused on figures like El Cid, Numancia, Sagunto, and Agustina de Aragón as national heroes during the War of Independence.

Catalan Nationalism

• Catalan nationalism emerged towards the end of the 19th century and sought to establish a sense of identity and patriotism among Catalan citizens.

• Historians in Catalonia looked back at the War of Succession for episodes that could contribute to their concept of "patria chica" or Catalan homeland.

• The emergence of nationalist movements in both Spain and Catalonia led to a reevaluation of history and the creation of new political parties.

Marcelino Domingo and Republicanism

This section focuses on Marcelino Domingo's role in Barcelona during 1917 and his involvement with republican parties.

• Marcelino Domingo, a Republican deputy in Cortes, played an important role during this period.

• His arrest had significant repercussions as he was part of the autonomist republican bloc along with Luis Companys.

• Following his arrest, there was a split within the Reformist Party, leading to the creation of the Republican Party of Catalonia (PRC).

• Marcelino Domingo came from a religious family but criticized abuses against the Catholic Church during the Republic.

Religious Issues in the Republic

This section discusses the controversial topic of religion during the Republic and Marcelino Domingo's stance on it.

• Marcelino Domingo strongly criticized the mistreatment of the Catholic Church at the beginning of the Republic.

• Religious issues were highly contentious during this period, and they will be explored further in future episodes.

• The Republic faced challenges regarding its approach to religion, which will be examined in detail later.

The General Strike and Repression

This section focuses on the general strike of 1917 and its consequences, including repression and violence.

• Marcelino Domingo fled to France after realizing that those arrested were receiving severe sentences in military courts.

• The general strike resulted in numerous deaths and over a hundred injuries, particularly in Catalonia.

• General Marina, who had previously led Spanish forces in Melilla, played a significant role in suppressing the strike with military action.

Barcelona's Pistolerismo Era

This section explores the era of "pistolerismo" (gunfights) in Barcelona during this period.

• Barcelona experienced a rise in gunfights between armed workers, anarchists, and military forces during this time.

• The conflict intensified until 1919 when anarchists targeted employers while employers formed self-defense groups called "Sindicatos Libres."

• The episode concludes with an overview of the revolutionary strike of 1917 and its impact on subsequent events.

Transition to the Republic

This section highlights how Spain transitioned from the Restoration to Republican rule.

• With the complete breakdown of the Restoration system, governments changed frequently, often lasting only months.

• King Alfonso XIII attempted to form coalition governments to salvage what remained of the Restoration.

• The next episode will focus on the Annual Disaster, which dealt a final blow to the Restoration.

The Annual Disaster

This section introduces the Annual Disaster as a significant event leading up to the Spanish Civil War.

• The Annual Disaster is described as the final blow to the Restoration era.

• The speaker uses a metaphor from bullfighting to illustrate this point.

• The disaster at Annual will be explored further in subsequent episodes as it marks a turning point towards the Spanish Civil War.