Conflict of the selfactinas

The Conflict of the Selfactinas refers to Luddite actions that occurred in Barcelona during the month of July 1854 against the mechanisation of spinning with the self-acting or fully automatic mule held responsible for rising unemployment.

[7] On March 31 and April 1, 1854, the workers of numerous factories in Barcelona went out on strike demanding the abolition of the so-called self-acting machines, which was causing unemployment.

[8] Then, on June 30, 1854, an armed uprising near Madrid known as the Vicalvarada against the corrupt and unrepresentative government, stimulated a similar revolt in Barcelona in support on July 14 but in which the workers also played a prominent role.

[9] The Captain General, de la Rocha, sent forces to protect the factories and made a public announcement that any attacks on property or that jeopardised security would be punished by firing squad.

[8] Representatives of the spinners met with the Captain General who agreed to issue an edict on July 25 to have selfactinas replaced by older, less efficient machines.