Industrialization in BiscayMay 2010

Introduction

• Biscay was one of the two provinces in which modernization of the industrial processes took place in the 19th century.

• Urban, industrial life versus rural, agricultural life• = a new lifestyle, new thoughts, new economy, new social groups• Proletariat (population growth)• Bourgeoisie• New problems: saturation, pollution, changes…• New opportunities: wealth, effort, businesses, cultural

improvement…• Foreign investment• New railway

• Concentration: – Geographically: Around Bilbao area– In families– Sectors:

– Iron mineral (mines)

– Iron Blast Furnaces– Ship-building industry– Metallurgical industries – Railway construction– Banks– Insurance companies– Food & Wine Industries

General characteristics

• Financial entities: Banco de Bilbao, Banco de Vizcaya

• Railway network: Ferrocarril Bilbao-Tudela

• Modernization of traditional iron industry (ferrerías): • Santa Ana de Bolueta (1841)

• Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Barakaldo (1855)

Examples – 1st period (1841-1865)

• Invention of the Bessemer process for the production of iron and steel

• Biscay’s iron ore is adequate many mining enterprises appeared.

• High profits: the accumulated capital is invested in new industrial groups.

• Examples: – Modern iron blast furnaces by the river Nervión: Altos Hornos de Vizcaya (mail

producer of iron and steel in Spain during the 20th century).– Ship-building industry: Euskalduna and La Naval.– Metallurgical industries: Echevarria.

Examples – 2nd period

• Deep social changes:

• Immigration from other areas (mainly Castille)

• Growth of Bilbao and surrounding areas

• Wealthy industrial bourgeoisie & proletarian class.

• Big population growth

• New values and social conflicts.

THE BISCAY MODEL OF INDUSTRIALIZATION WAS ONE OF GREAT CONCENTRATION, BOTH GEOGRAPHICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY.

Main consequences

Why were Banks

essential in Industrialization?

First question for 1st Bachillerato students:

What does BBVA stand for?

Second question for 1st Bachillerato students:

Where is BBVA

present nowadays?

Third question for 1st Bachillerato students:

Industrialization in BiscayMay 2010