Spain’s Industrial Revolution, which gained momentum in the 19th century, was slower and more uneven than in other European nations. Industrialization remained concentrated in Catalonia’s textile sector and the Basque Country’s steel and mining industries, while much of Spain retained its agrarian structure. This imbalance shaped economic and social tensions that would later contribute to political unrest.
Industrialization spurred mass migration from rural areas to cities like Barcelona and Bilbao, leading to rapid urban growth, overcrowding, and worsening living conditions for the working class. While a new industrial bourgeoisie gained influence, the working class faced exploitation, fueling the rise of labor unions and socialist and anarchist movements. In contrast, rural areas suffered depopulation and economic decline, further deepening social divides.
The Catholic Church, historically dominant in Spanish society, aligned with the monarchy and landowners to resist socialist and anarchist ideologies. It promoted Catholic trade unions and charitable initiatives but faced growing hostility from workers and secular movements. This opposition intensified as calls for social reform, land redistribution, and regional autonomy gained traction.
The social fractures caused by industrialization—urban-rural disparities, class struggles, and regional tensions—exacerbated Spain’s political instability. By the early 20th century, strikes, protests, and political violence became widespread. The Church’s close ties to conservative elites made it a target of leftist movements, leading to deepening polarization. These conflicts culminated in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), where conservative forces, led by Franco and supported by the Church, clashed with leftist republicans. Franco’s victory reinstated authoritarian rule, suppressing many of the social changes that industrialization had set in motion.
