Temes 2 i 3 V4 Restauració Borbònica i Catalanisme polític

Desastre de 1898 y la Crisis Colonial

Introducción a la Restauración Orgánica y el Catalanismo Apolítico

• El video aborda los temas de la restauración orgánica y el catalanismo apolítico, centrándose en el desastre de 1898.

• Se discutirá la crisis en Cuba y Filipinas, su relación con las intervenciones externas, y las consecuencias para España y Cataluña.

Contexto Histórico: La Crisis de Cuba y Filipinas

• En 1898, España tenía un imperio colonial que incluía territorios como Cuba y Filipinas; estos eran vitales para su economía.

• Cuba era conocida por su agricultura de plantación, produciendo azúcar, tabaco y café, lo que generaba ingresos significativos para España.

Legislación Española en las Colonias

• La legislación española perjudicaba a Cuba al obligar a comprar productos españoles a precios elevados; solo podían vender sus productos a España.

• Esto excluía mercados europeos y norteamericanos potencialmente lucrativos.

Situación Política en las Colonias

• Las colonias estaban bajo control militar español con una fuerte presencia religiosa; no tenían representación política ni autonomía.

• Tras la guerra del Ten Years' War (1878), se firmó el Convenio de San Juan que prometía autonomía gradual para Cuba.

Descontento Cubano y Formación de Partidos Políticos

• A pesar del convenio, los cubanos fundaron partidos políticos: el Partido Unión Constitucional (opuesto a reformas) y el Partido Liberal (pro-autonomía).

• Sin embargo, estas medidas no se concretaron adecuadamente; continuó el descontento social.

Incumplimiento del Convenio de San Juan

• En 1895 se evidenció un incumplimiento del convenio; además, se aprobó un arancel que afectó negativamente al comercio cubano.

• Estados Unidos comenzó a apoyar movimientos independentistas cubanos debido al descontento creciente entre los habitantes.

Inicio de la Insurrección Cubana

• En 1895 comenzó la insurrección cubana liderada por José Martí con apoyo militar significativo.

Respuesta Militar Española

• La respuesta española fue dividida entre diálogo (general Martínez Campos) o represión (general Valeriano Weyler).

Cuban and Philippine Insurrections: A Historical Overview

The Military Struggles in Cuba

• The Cuban troops, adept at guerrilla warfare in tropical conditions, were able to resist Spanish military efforts effectively.

• In 1877, the assassination of Canovas and Sagasta's rise to power marked a shift towards conciliatory strategies, including the autonomy of Cuba.

Political Changes and Demands for Independence

• The universal male suffrage was imposed alongside the autonomy of Cuba, but these measures did not satisfy independence demands.

• José Rizal founded the Liga Filipina in 1872, advocating for the expulsion of Spaniards and land confiscation, leading to insurrection by 1876.

Repressive Policies and Insurrection Developments

• General Polavieja's repressive policies culminated in significant unrest that would lead to further conflict by 1896.

• Fernando Primo de Rivera attempted indirect negotiations with insurgent leaders, temporarily pacifying the archipelago amidst Spain's colonial crisis.

U.S. Intervention and War Outbreak

• By 1897, U.S. interests began supporting Cuban insurgents as an opportunity to assert economic interests against Spain.

• Following the sinking of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898, tensions escalated leading to an ultimatum from the U.S. demanding Spanish withdrawal from Cuba.

Rapid Conflict Escalation and Treaty Outcomes

• The war commenced swiftly with naval engagements resulting in significant losses for Spain by April 23, culminating in U.S. control over key territories.

• The Treaty of Paris (December 1898) formalized Spain’s relinquishment of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States.

Societal Impact Post-War

• The defeat led to a profound national crisis within Spain; it was perceived as a humiliation that sparked discussions about national identity.

• This period gave rise to Generation '98', a literary movement focused on critiquing Spanish society post-colonial loss while advocating for moral regeneration.

Economic Consequences

• Economically, Spain faced significant revenue loss due to colonial withdrawal but saw some recovery through returning Cuban capitalists post-war.

Consequences of Increased Taxation and Political Change

Economic Pressures and Taxation

• The aim of increasing tax collection was to raise fiscal pressure on the population, leading to significant economic consequences for individuals who felt burdened by rising taxes.

Political Consequences and System Renewal

• There were clear political consequences as it became evident that a renewal and regeneration of the political system in Spain was necessary, driven by leftist movements criticizing the restoration system's flaws.

Leftist Movements' Goals

• Leftist movements aimed to denounce electoral fraud and improve Spain's economic and social conditions, focusing on issues like clientelism, agricultural reform, and educational advancement. Their motto emphasized education ("escola") and sustenance ("rebost").

Catalonia's Role in Cuba: Migration and Economic Ties

Catalan Emigration to Cuba

• Many Catalans emigrated to Cuba seeking fortune, particularly from coastal areas like Villanueva, Mataró, Palamós, etc., establishing businesses upon their return.

Economic Relations with Cuba

• Catalonia maintained significant economic ties with Cuba during this period; Canovas' policies turned Cuba into a privileged market for Catalan textile industries.

Social Class Dynamics in Catalonia

Economic Entities vs. Popular Classes

• Wealthy classes supported maintaining colonial markets while popular classes opposed due to unfair military service obligations that sent them to war in Cuba.

Anti-Militarism Sentiment

• A strong anti-militaristic sentiment emerged among the working class in Catalonia against compulsory military service leading to protests against the war.

Political Reactions Against War Policies

Opposition from Federal Republicans

• Federal Republicans openly opposed the war; notable figures like Pímarga criticized it publicly within the broader context of evolving ideas within Catalan nationalism regarding autonomy for Cuba.

Calls for Autonomy

• By 1877, many Catalan nationalists viewed offers of autonomy for Cuba as too late; they believed it should have been granted earlier as a means of addressing Cuban aspirations.

Economic Consequences Post-War

Decline in Exports

• The aftermath of the conflict saw a reduction in textile exports from Catalonia to its colonies alongside increased financial burdens due to wartime debts.

Tax Resistance

• In response to proposed tax increases by Villa Verde’s government post-war, merchants in Barcelona protested by closing shops rather than paying higher taxes.

Repressive Government Response

Escalating Tensions with Madrid