Construyendo un partido: la odisea socialista, 1879-1903

Abstract

In this article the author reconstructs the evolution of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (P.S.O.E.) from its foundation in 1879 through to the beginning of the twentieth century. Developing on his existing work on the subject, he presents an in-depth analysis of the vicissitudes of a process which was far from uniform; short-lived branches lacking any real social base can be found alongside others which disappeared only to reemerge a few years later, and still others which grew more steadily over the period. The author also presents statistics showing the state of the party at two yearly intervals and an explanation for the distinct fate of the local branches. As a result, it is possible to trace the strength and local and regional distribution of support for a party seeking to establish itself at the national level.