Barcelona‘s Years of Lead: Anarchy, Espionage, and the Rise of the Black Gang (1918-1923)
Table of Contents
A wave of political violence engulfed Barcelona in the years following World War I, fueled by economic hardship, ideological clashes, and a shadowy underworld network that left over 500 dead.
Following the end of World War I, Europe found itself awash in readily available weaponry. This influx of arms, acquired through a burgeoning black market, empowered both left- and right-wing extremist groups. In Catalonia,this volatile environment ignited a five-year period of intense conflict (1918-1923) between anarchist libertarians and those seeking to suppress them. The echoes of post-war German paramilitary groups – like the Freikorps, the SA, and ultimately the SS – had ripple effects across the continent.Simultaneously, Catalan anarchism, already a potent force, gained access to weaponry, including Mauser rifles and Stielhandgranate Model 24/MK2 hand grenades. This acquisition transformed the region into a battleground for urban guerrilla warfare.
The period was marked by a breakdown in law and order, with organized crime increasingly intertwined with both the official police and a clandestine detective agency known as Koenig, operating from the heart of Barcelona. This agency reportedly hired both thugs and police officers,functioning as executioners and informants for a commission.
The Black Gang and the Reign of Terror
Emerging from this chaos was the “Black Gang,” comprised of approximately 200 thugs and professional criminals. These individuals engaged in kidnappings, disappearances, torture, and the targeted assassinations of union and anarchist leaders. “The everyday was the horror,” as described by accounts of the time, with shootings, explosions, and attacks becoming commonplace.
The “Black Gang” operated under a clear ideology of “blood and fire,” unleashing organized crime against the unions in what became known as the “years of lead.” These groups, reminiscent of the traditional somatenes, conducted brutal patrols, stopping and searching citizens with impunity. A chilling tactic involved executing individuals after they turned their backs, leaving a trail of bodies in the streets.
Key Crimes and Escalating Violence
several high-profile assassinations fueled the escalating cycle of violence. The early death of businessman Joan Tapias in 1917 opened the door for organized crime. This was followed by the deaths of labor lawyer Francesc Lauret, Joan Canela, and, most notably, the renowned labor fighter Salvador Seguí, sparking widespread strikes across Spain. In retaliation, libertarians of the CNT murdered businessman théodore Jenny in Sabadell.
Though, the murder of commissioner Manuel Bravo Portillo proved to be a turning point. Revealed as a spy for Germany – informing the U-boats of Allied ship departures from barcelona – his death triggered a spiral of shocking violence. estimates suggest over 500 people lost their lives,though some historians believe the true number is higher,excluding collateral damage.
A City of Opulence and Despair
Barcelona during this period was a city of stark contrasts. While some enjoyed opulence, many faced increasing hardship. Inflation soared, reaching 50% in 1919 alone, forcing citizens to purchase fragmented loaves of bread and watch essential goods like oil disappear from their pantries. The city also became a hub for prostitution and the drug trade,absorbing these vices from other European countries.
Amidst this turmoil, the women of the CNT organized extensive support networks to provide food and assistance to struggling workers. However, the pervasive violence and economic desperation created a climate of fear and instability.
The Iron Fist of Primo de Rivera
The relentless violence finally subsided with the coup d’état led by dictator Primo de Rivera in 1923. Rivera’s regime, through a combination of repression and co-option, managed to quell the unrest, albeit by compromising with various factions. Army detachments were deployed to the streets, restoring a semblance of order.
While this marked the end of a traumatic era, it also ushered in a new, and arguably more disturbing, chapter in Spanish history. The underlying tensions and ideological conflicts that fueled the “years of lead” would continue to simmer beneath the surface, ultimately contributing to the spanish Civil War just over a decade later.
