Class, Culture and Conflict in Barcelona, 1898-1937

ISBN-13: 9780415299619 / Angielski / Twarda / 2004 / 288 str.

Chris Ealham

Opis

This is a study of social protest and repression in one of the twentieth century's most important revolutionary hotspots. It explains why Barcelona became the undisputed capital of the European anarchist movement and explores the sources of anarchist power in the city. It also places Barcelona at the centre of Spain's economic, social, cultural and political life during 1898-1937. During this period, a range of social groups, movements and institutions competed with one another the impose their own political and urban project on the city: the central authorities struggled to retain control of Spain's most unruly city; nationalist groups hoped to create the capital of Catalonia; local industrialists attempted to erect a modern industrial city; the urban middle classes planned to democratise the city; and meanwhile, the anarchists sought to liberate the city's workers from oppression and exploitation. This resulted in a myriad of frequently violent conflicts for control of the city, both before and during the civil war. This is a work of great importance in the field of contemporary Spanish history, and fills a significant gap in current literature.

Recenzje

'A plethora of books have appeared over the years on the nature and roots of anarchism in Spain ... Chris Ealham's fascinating new book is one of the most original and important ... It deserves a far wider audience than just academia.' - International Socialism

Spis treści

1. The Making of a Divided City 2. Mapping the Working Class City 3. The Birth of the Republican City 4. The Proletarian City and the Second Republic 5. 'The Struggle to Survive': Unemployed Self-Help and Direct Action during the Republic 6. 'Militarised Anarchism', 1932-6 7. Cultural Battles: Class and Criminality 8. An 'Apolitical' Revolution: Anarchism, Revolution and Civil War

O autorze

Chris Ealham lectures on contemporary Spanish history in the School of European Studies, Cardiff University. He is co-editor of The Splintering of Spain: Historical Perspectives on the Spanish Civil War. His work focuses on labour and social protest in Spain, and he is currently working on a history of urban conflict in 1930s Spain.