Bombardment of Barcelona (1842)

The Barcelona of 1842 was a keg of social conflict. Amongst the issues was the free trade policy of the regent General Espartero and the damage it was causing to the textile industry and the livelihood of workers. Another simmering issue was the tax required to be paid for bringing food into the city. A climate of permanent tension existed in the city that foreshadowed an eventual explosion of violence. The trigger came when a group of some 30 workers returning to the city on 13 November 1842 tried to smuggle a small amount of wine into the city without paying the tax. An uprising broke out, and within hours the working classes of the city had taken up a war footing. The Government's reactions inflamed the civil revolt which quickly brought together interests across the social strata (including the industrialist Joan Güell (father of Eusebi Güell) and the Marquis of Llió) in opposition to the Government. The local militia (Patuleyas) also took part and by the 15th the streets had been barricaded and the army had to take refuge in the Montjuic Castle and Parc de la Ciutadella after suffering possibly up to 600 dead and wounded.