Petroleum Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Petroleum Revolution?

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Petroleum Revolution

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A libertarian workers' revolution in Alcoy, Spain (1873) fueled by industrial strife.

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Origins & Early Life

The Petroleum Revolution (Valencian: La Revolució del Petroli) was a libertarian and syndicalist leaning workers' revolution that took place in Alcoy, Alicante, Spain in 1873. The event derives its name from the petroleum-soaked torches carried by revolting workers. During those days, according to chroniclers, the city stank of petroleum. This situation placed the city of Alcoy on the frontlines of the social conflicts of this era, due to the poor situation of the workers, who organised themselves and were pioneers in the establishment of the International Workingmen's Association (AIT) in Spain. During the revolution, workers seized control of the city for several days in July 1873 in the course of a general strike, which eventually became a riot, against the republican mayor Agustí Albors (better known as Pelletes).

Career & Major Achievements

During the revolt, Albors gave the order to fire on demonstrators, who defended themselves by assaulting the town hall, executing the mayor, and trapping the rest of the municipal leadership in the building. The city and was governed from 9–13 July 1873 by a "Committee of Public Safety," presided over by Severino Albarracín. The demonstrators declared a series of pay raises and a reduction of the working day. The revolt ended with the intervention of the federal army and the military occupation of the city, hefty repression against the revolutionaries, and practically no improvements for the labouring class. More than 600 workers were put on trial, including minors between 12 and 17 years of age.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Many of the accused were condemned to death. During the First Spanish Republic, Alcoy was one of the few Spanish cities where the Industrial Revolution had taken root. The city was occupied by paper, textile, and metallurgic industries that had engendered a great upswing in population and the implementation of a capitalist system of production, as well as introduced mechanization as a substitute for much formerly manual labour. This provoked the appearance of Luddite movements that began to destroy the machinery, in vindication and defense of the working class. A third of Alcoy's 30,000 inhabitants, including women and children, worked in industry — 5,500 in 175 textile companies and 2,500 in 74 paper industries.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1873: 1873 Milestone — The Petroleum Revolution (Valencian: La Revolució del Petroli) was a libertarian and syndicalist leaning workers' revolution that took place in Alcoy, Alicante, Spain in 1873.

Notable Quotes by Petroleum Revolution

“We are today in a general strike of workers, that together number 10,000, ready to face everything that comes our way.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Petroleum Revolution

True or False: “The Petroleum Revolution was primarily caused by the failure of socialist political parties to gain enough votes in the general elections of 1873.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The revolution was fundamentally rooted in immediate labor disputes concerning wage increases and reduction of working hours, not solely electoral failures.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Petroleum Revolution