Tancament de caixes facts for kids
The tancament de caixes (pronounced: tahn-sah-MENT deh KAI-shays), which means "closing of the cashboxes," was a big protest in Barcelona, Spain. It happened from July to November in 1899. This protest was a type of tax resistance, where business owners and factories stopped paying taxes. They did this to show they were unhappy with new taxes.
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Francisco Silvela and his finance minister Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, had raised taxes. They needed more money to pay for the costs of the Spanish–American War that had just ended.
The protest involved businesses and factories closing their doors. This was a way to stop paying taxes without breaking the law. It was similar to a "hartal," which is a form of protest where people stop working or trading. The mayor of Barcelona at the time, Dr. Bartomeu Robert, led this protest.
Why the Protest Started
The main reason for the "closing of the cashboxes" was the difficult situation Spain faced after losing its colonies in 1898. This was known as the colonial crisis. The Spanish government had to make strict budgets and increase taxes to cover its debts.
The protest was mostly against taxes on businesses and personal income. It also targeted taxes on personal investments. These taxes were much higher in Barcelona than in Madrid. This made many business owners in Catalonia feel like they were being treated unfairly. They felt betrayed because they had supported the government's main political parties.
How the Protest Grew
The Industrial & Commercial League of Defense, a group representing businesses, called for the protest. They formed a special group called the Permanent Union Board. This board represented more than fifty different business groups in Barcelona.
The government reacted by declaring a state of emergency. This meant they had special powers to control the situation. The protest also spread to other towns near Barcelona, like Sabadell, Mataró, Manresa, and Villafranca del Penedes. Some business owners were arrested because they refused to pay their taxes.
What Happened Next
The "tancament de caixes" had several important results:
- The mayor of Barcelona, Doctor Robert, resigned from his position.
- Two Spanish government ministers, Manuel Durán i Bas and Camilo Garcia of Polavieja and Castillo, also resigned.
- The protest made many people in Catalonia, especially the middle class, feel more distant from the Spanish government. This helped to make Catalan nationalism stronger.
See also
In Spanish: Cierre de cajas para niños
