Spanish Socialist Workers' Party

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (Partido Socialista Obrero Español or PSOE) is one of the main parties of Spain. It is a social democratic party, a member of the Socialist International.

Early History

It was founded in 1879 in Madrid by the historical Spanish workers' leader Pablo Iglesias who was born in El Ferrol in 1850. Although the PSOE was rather weak during the last years of the 19th century, its active participation in strike waves of 1899-1902 and, especially its electoral coalition with the main Republican parties led in 1910 to the election of Pablo Iglesias as the first socialist representative in the Spanish Cortes (Parliament).

Related Topics:
1879 - Pablo Iglesias - El Ferrol - 1850

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The PSOE formed part of the Spanish Government during the second Spanish Republic (1931-1933) and as part of the Spanish Popular Front ("Frente Popular"), elected to government in 1936. During the Spanish Civil War, it divided into two wings: a leftist revolutionary, and Marxist wing, led by Francisco Largo Caballero, and a reformist wing, led by Indalecio Prieto and Julian Besteiro.

Related Topics:
Second Spanish Republic - Spanish Popular Front - 1936 - Spanish Civil War - Marxist - Francisco Largo Caballero - Indalecio Prieto - Julian Besteiro

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Francisco Franco, who, like Pablo Iglesias was born in El Ferrol, banned the PSOE in 1939, and it was only legalised again in February 1977. During this time its activities were persecuted, with many leaders and militants being imprisoned, assassinated, or exiled.

Related Topics:
Francisco Franco - 1939 - 1977 - Exiled

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