[1][2] Founded clandestinely in the summer of 1839 and officially established in 1840 as a mutual aid society, it was banned several times because the right of association was not recognised during the reign of Isabella II, but it continued to operate under various guises.
[3] In the 1830s, Catalonia was the only place in Spain with a modern industry, and partly as a result, it experienced significant social and labor conflict, mainly involving workers producing cotton textiles.
Article 36 added: "Any member, regardless of class, who agrees with the master to lengthen the fabrics or lower the wage will be considered disobedient and brought to trial by the two boards."
Thus, they were able to celebrate their second anniversary, which was preceded by a manifesto dated May 6, 1842, signed by Joan Munts, Josep Sugrañes, and Pedro Vicheto, stating that the Association's establishment had opened a new era: "We showed those who pretended to believe and wanted us to understand that they were doing us a favour by providing work, that we are a part of the social chain, and they owe us even more thanks.
"[12] After the November 1842 uprising in Barcelona, which was crushed by Espartero, who ordered the bombardment of the city, and in which many workers participated, the Captain General of Catalonia accused the "Mutual Protection Society of Weavers of both sexes... founded in 1840 under the sole and apparent character of a philanthropic association of mutual relief" of being responsible for many of the events and, on January 16, 1843, declared it dissolved and also banned "any other association of any other branch of industry."
[citation needed] The "clandestine" operation of the legally dissolved Association resurfaced after the end of the "Jamancia" revolt in Barcelona between September and November 1843, in which workers again actively participated.
Thus, in the first meeting held by the Captain General with the authorities and corporations of Barcelona, the existence of "a Weavers' Association for mutual aid or charitable purposes, without any political involvement..." was discussed.