Catholic press in Asturias: the case of Gijón (1901-1913)

Abstract

At the beginning of the 20th century, Gijón faced certain decisive changes at a political, social and economic level. These significant changes were heralded by the dismantling of the old, conservative, cacique structures, the rise of republicanism, and the spread of international associationism. In tandem with this, the Society of Jesus intensified their activities in the city through initiatives linked with social Catholicism and a previously latent Carlism. This set in motion more than a decade long period of activity of a faction of the right, that clearly differentiated itself from local conservatism and the bourgeoisie associated with it. This article aims to study/analyze this historic event through the lens of two Catholic journals/periodicals/newspapers that were published in Gijón under the auspices of this new right – El Popular (1901-1908) and El Principado (1909-1913).