Gentlemen, Bourgeois, and Revolutionaries
Political Change and Cultural Persistence among the Spanish Dominant Groups, 1750–1850

Revises the traditional interpretation of the crisis of the Spanish Old Regime as a revolution carried out by an ascendant bourgeoisie.

Jesus Cruz (Author)

9780521894166, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 29 January 2004

364 pages, 11 b/w illus. 36 tables
23 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.557 kg

The work of Jesus Cruz constitutes a magnificent example of the analytical tensions produced in European historiography by the failure of the classic theory...of the bourgeois revolution." Isabel Burdiel, Journal of Modern History

The traditional interpretation of the crisis of the Spanish Old Regime is to see it as a revolution carried out by an ascendant bourgeoisie. Professor Cruz challenges this viewpoint by arguing that in Spain, as in the rest of continental Europe, a national bourgeoisie did not exist before the second half of the nineteenth century. Consequently, the model of bourgeois revolution proves inadequate to explain any movement toward modernisation before 1850. Historiography based on the bourgeois revolution theory portrays Spain as an exceptional model whose main feature is the 'failure' produced by the immobility of its ruling class. This work re-examines that understanding, and relocates Spain in the mainstream for industrialisation, urbanisation and democratisation that characterise the history of modern Europe.

Part I. Careers, Business and Fortunes: 1. Introduction
2. Merchants
3. Bankers
4. Bureaucrats and professionals
5. Politicians
Part II. The Museum of Families: Strategies of Reproduction: 6. Habitus, solidarity and authority
7. Kinship, friendship and patronage
8. Conclusion: rethinking the Spanish Revolution.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]