Science, Technology and the Spanish Colonial Experience in the Nineteenth Century
Author(s)
Elena, Alberto; Ordonez, Javier
Abstract
Nineteenth-century Spain-using the resources that remained of its vast empire-struggled to maintain its place as an international power. Following the loss of its colonies on the American continent, however, it could assume only a modest imperial presence. This loss occurred at precisely the time that the country, lagging behind other European powers, was taking its first tentative steps toward industrialization and modernization. The delay in modernizing, along with Spain’s still quite modest scientific and technological capacities, made it impossible for the country to become anything more than a spectator during the age of great imperial adventures. As the century closed, Spain, disillusioned, faced the crisis of 1898.
