Setmana Tràgica

The history of Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia and his network of rationalist schools appear to be, even today, a
controversial issue. Due to the myths of anarchist historiography and the discredit of the personage there has been a
lack of analysis of his educational proposals and his role in 20th century Catalan society. This article aims to describe
and analyze Ferrer’s proposal of a libertarian education, starting from his political views and pedagogical
background.
Ferrer’s project achieves considerable success when he arrives in Barcelona in 1901. The city offers a virgin
education market, due to the inefficiency of the Spanish administration and the educational monopoly held by the
Catholic Church. Ferrer’s ideas are welcomed by the lay anticlerical middle class. But he also wishes to influence the
Catalan working class. His purpose is to construct a society without social differences, free from religious control,
capable of making a revolution.
Ferrer’s Modern School proves to be a business success. However, he fails politically. He does not get the expected
support and accumulates a great number of powerful enemies. The scarce confidence of the former and the hostility
of the latter will put an end to his project. His trial and execution for the events of the Tragic Week prove that
social antagonisms are still an unsolved matter.

The history of Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia and his network of rationalist schools appear to be, even today, a controversial issue. Due to the myths of anarchist historiography and the discredit of the personage there has been a lack of analysis of his educational proposals and his role in 20th century Catalan society. This article aims to describe and analyze Ferrer’s proposal of a libertarian education, starting from his political views and pedagogical background. Ferrer’s project achieves considerable success when he arrives in Barcelona in 1901. The city offers a virgin education market, due to the inefficiency of the Spanish administration and the educational monopoly held by the Catholic Church. Ferrer’s ideas are welcomed by the lay anticlerical middle class. But he also wishes to influence the Catalan working class. His purpose is to construct a society without social differences, free from religious control, capable of making a revolution. Ferrer’s Modern School proves to be a business success. However, he fails politically. He does not get the expected support and accumulates a great number of powerful enemies. The scarce confidence of the former and the hostility of the latter will put an end to his project. His trial and execution for the events of the Tragic Week prove that social antagonisms are still an unsolved matter.