Protestas sociales, cultura política y debates de los trabajadores del transporte en Cartagena (Colombia), durante la República Liberal (1930-1945)

Abstract

At first, this article analyses discussions among workers in the city of Cartagena in relation to the new ideas that were in vogue (socialism and communism), also the reaction to the measures implemented by Liberal governments (1930-1945) in labor matters. In the second place, major protests by transport workers (Railway and dock workers) are disclosed, what motivations they had, how they were developed and what impact they had in the Caribbean region. Thirdly: it is elucidated the workers struggle in order to maintain the institution of collective bargaining against employers, which was an organizational process of the labor market coming from the early twentieth century. Throughout the paper, primary sources are used such as Cartagena press (Diario de la Costa, El Mercurio, El Figaro, El Mundo Diario de Cartagena) and from Barranquilla La Prensa was consulted and some newspapers linked to the Colombian Communist Party (El Bolchevique y El Diario Popular) newspapers as well.