Gilena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gilena, Spain
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Town hall of Gilena
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Province | Seville | ||
| Municipality | Gilena | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 52 km2 (20 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 465 m (1,526 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 3,790 | ||
| • Density | 72.9/km2 (188.8/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
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Gilena is a town located in the province of Seville, Spain. In 2018, about 3,790 people lived there.
Contents
Gilena's Past: Important Events
Life in Gilena in the 1930s
In 1931, Gilena had over 4,000 people. Most of them worked in farming. The work was very hard, and people did not earn much money. Many days, workers had no jobs at all. This meant that many families in Gilena faced poverty and even hunger.
Changes in Spain: The Second Republic
On April 12, 1931, Spain held elections. This was a big deal because it was the first time in almost 60 years that people could freely choose their leaders. In cities, parties that supported a republic (a government without a king) won.
Before this, Spain had a king, Alfonso XIII, and then a dictator, Primo de Rivera. Both had not solved the country's problems. People wanted a new government that could make their lives better.
On April 14, the Second Spanish Republic was announced. Many Spaniards hoped this new government would bring positive changes.
Elections in Rural Areas
Historians say that big changes were needed in cities. But in rural areas, like Gilena, it was harder for people to truly choose their leaders. This was because of "caciques." A cacique was a powerful local person, often a landowner, who controlled the political system. They could influence who got jobs or help, making it hard for people to vote freely.
For example, in Gilena, there wasn't even an election in 1931. A law from 1907 allowed this if there were just enough candidates for the available positions. Even though socialist groups were organized in Gilena, the system kept them from taking part in the election. Still, on April 14, many people in Gilena went out to show their support for the new Republic.
Political Groups in Gilena
During the time of the Republic, Spain had many political parties. But in Gilena, there were mainly two:
- The PSOE: This was a left-wing party that supported workers' rights.
- The IR: This was a center party. Interestingly, a powerful local landowner, a "cacique," led this party.
Workers in Gilena could choose between these two parties. However, if you supported the Socialist Party, it could be hard to find work. Both parties had their meeting places on the same street, which sometimes caused arguments and tension.
A Day of Tension: October 9, 1931
On October 9, 1931, local leaders from Gilena went to Seville to ask the government for help with the difficult situation. On the same day, socialist workers in Gilena called for a general strike. This meant they wanted everyone to stop working to show how serious their demands were.
Early in the morning, groups of workers called "pickets" went to the fields. They wanted to make sure no one was working during the strike.
Events at the Marqués Farmhouse
The most difficult situation happened at a large farm called "Marqués." This farm was very important in the area, about 3 kilometers from Gilena. Some pickets tried to convince the workers there to stop working. But the workers at Marqués did not stop, and arguments started.
The pickets went back to their meeting place to ask for help. Meanwhile, someone from the Marqués farm called the Civil Guards from a nearby town, Aguadulce. When about a hundred workers returned to the farm, they found Civil Guards pointing their guns at them. The workers were searched and then led back to Gilena, to the Civil Guard station. The Civil Guards did not find any firearms, but they did find sticks, stones, and other objects.
Growing Tension in the Village
The Civil Guard leader, who didn't know Gilena well, made a mistake. He led the arrested workers through the center of the town. Along the way, other Civil Guards joined them, making a group of 10. When they reached the village, many people had gathered. The tension in the air grew stronger.
As the line of arrested workers passed the socialist meeting place, the shouts from the crowd got louder. Then, several workers surrounded the Civil Guard leader, took his gun, and put it inside their headquarters.
At that moment, the other Civil Guards saw their leader fall. They began to shoot. Everyone ran and tried to hide. Many people hid inside the union headquarters. Some even climbed over walls to get into neighboring houses. A few hours later, more Civil Guards arrived from other towns to help.
Aftermath of the Incident
Sadly, the Civil Guard leader and five workers died during this event. Many people were also injured, and sixty people were arrested. Many others stayed hidden in their homes. Political and military leaders visited Gilena, and journalists wrote about what happened in their newspapers. Most newspapers focused on the Civil Guard leader as the main victim.
Years later, a trial was held. The person who caused the Civil Guard leader's death was not identified. Only three workers were found guilty of insulting the authorities.
See also
In Spanish: Gilena para niños
