The dissertation examines the development of labour organisation during a period of transition from a tradition of mutualism to one of trades unionism. The transition took place against a largely unfavourable economic background and in the context of considerable political upheavals associated with the fall of the 'Republica Aristocratica', the establishment of the dictatorship of Leguia, and the rise of Peru's first avowedly left-wing political parties. The essay begins with an examination of the response of labour organisations to a period of sharp price inflation between 1915 and 1919. The decline of the mutual-aid societies and the influence of the anarcho-syndicalists, students and socialists upon the formation of trades unions during the early 'twenties are discussed in detail. Since the State was so frequently drawn into industrial conflicts, its approach to labour problems comprises one of the central themes of the essay. The principal aim of the essay is to examine patterns of organisation and political behaviour established during the 'twenties and their influence during the political crisis of 1930/1. It is the central concern of the second half of the essay, therefore, to examine the significance of the foundation in the late 'twenties of APRA and the Peruvian Socialist Party (later the Peruvian Communist Party), both of which sought to articulate the interests of the working class but from markedly different perspectives. The question of relations with workers in the provinces receives relatively little attention since contacts of any substance or significance were rarely made. Traditions of organisation and behaviour established in Lima reflected conditions peculiar to the capital. In 1931, those traditions were largely incompatible with the political trajectories of both APRA and the PCP.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:598425 |
| Date | January 1981 |
| Creators | Dawson, A. M. |
| Publisher | University of Cambridge |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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