The Basque Country (pdf, 4,3Mb) - Kultura Saila - Euskadi.net

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The second Carlist War was fought in the 1870s. In addition to the
clash between Carlists and liberals, there was a general feeling of
unease among the populace toward the liberal state which mainly
defended the interests of commerce, large landowners and the newly
established industrial entrepreneurs. Although the end of the conflict
brought about the suppression of the Juntas Forales and Diputaciones
Forales, the latter gained renewed importance as regulators of the
taxes under the new Economic Agreements (Conciertos Económicos)
between the Basque provinces and the central Spanish government.
In Euskadi the political system of the Spanish Restoration, (1874-
1923) led alternately by conservatives (Cánovas) and liberals
(Sagasta), stood out for its antidemocratic methods. Votes were
bought in favour of the conservatives, controlled by wealthy
businessmen who went on to become politicians and members
of parliament (Chávarri, Martínez de las Rivas, Gandarias, Aznar,
etc.). It was a system of rule by local political bosses.
2.3.2. Social and economic aspects
Basque society has experienced a
significant transformation.
Over the course of two centuries the
country has shifted from a poor rural
economy to an urban society; it has
taken a huge leap forward culturally;
the community is well developed
technologically; and politically,
Euskadi is a plural society.
Monument to conservative
businessman and politician Victor
Chávarri. Las Arenas, Getxo, Bizkaia.
The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries saw major advances in such
economic sectors as fishing, shipping, shipbuilding, international
trade, iron smelting and agriculture. In fact, in the seventeenth
century Bilbao became the most important port on the northern coast
of Spain. In addition, the Age of Illustration in the eighteenth century
brought new ideas which further stimulated the economy.
The Basque territories in Hegoalde kept their fueros, whereas in
Iparralde the Basque institutions were eliminated after the French
Revolution and the Basque lands incorporated into the French
Département des Basses Pyrénées.
Throughout the nineteenth century and into the early part of the
twentieth century important changes took place in all spheres of
the Basque Country, marking the modern age. The first wave of
industrialisation came in the mid-nineteenth century and along
with it the development of capitalism. The most intense area
of industrial activity was Bilbao, near the mouth of the Nervion
River, attracting a massive influx of immigrants from other parts
of Spain. As early as 1900, 27.8% of the population of Bizkaia and
12% of the population of Gipuzkoa was from immigrant families.
In the mid-nineteenth century large numbers of people from
Navarre emigrated to Euskadi and other areas.
In the late nineteenth century new ideologies and political movements
came into existence –such as socialism and Basque nationalism– as
did labour unions. Basque nationalism was founded by Sabino Arana
and socialism was brought to Bizkaia by Facundo Perezagua.
Iron ore blast furnaces in 1920. Orconera
Iron Ore Company. Ortuella, Bizkaia.