Una aproximación a la empresa familiar a partir del estudio de un conjunto de familias pertenecientes al colectivo judeo-converso.(Mallorca 1800-1950)

Abstract

We address the characterisation and evolution of a specific social group descended from Jewish converts, known by the name of “chuetas”, from the end of the Ancien Regime (last third of the 18th century) until 1930/50. From the entrepreneurial history viewpoint the interest in their status lies in the fact that, like other minorities and as a result of having been marginalised, the members of this group created links based on solidarity and trust that were decisive for their economic and professional specialisation. This phenomenon has been studied historically for other groups and likewise for the case of the Mallorcan Jewish converts up to the mid-18th century. However, in terms of the evolution of their composition and economic and professional evolution, there is a historiographic hiatus from the final stage of the Ancien Regime on. As a result, this thesis seeks to cover this period and corroborate or refute some of the clichés and hypotheses that have been considered up to the present, fundamentally with regard to the control of certain trades and professions. In addition, by analysing different types of sources (population patterns, contributions, wills, post mortem inventories, etc.) we reveal the heterogeneity of the group. The social and economic pre-eminence of a small number of families from the late 18th century on stands out. They controlled around threequarters of the group’s total wealth. In time, they manage to be admitted to the social circles typical of the Mallorcan bourgeoisie, as well as sharing businesses with them. This assimilation accelerates with the liberal reforms and is consolidated between the late 19th and early 20th century. In parallel, they become aware of the importance of education in order to progress towards equality and strive to inculcate the need of embarking on higher education in their children. This evolution continues to the extent that, at the turn of the century, there were practically no longer any differences between the configuration of the assets of the “chuetas” and those of the bourgeoisie in general. However, in the middle and lower layers of the group, there would still be a high number of families (as occurred until recently in other social groups with different affiliations) for whom integration was more difficult. From their forefathers they inherited tangible and intangible assets and amongst the latter, values, common customs, prejudices and naturally, specific professional specialisations. Nevertheless, contrary to what is generally assumed, from the consolidation of the Liberal State on, this phenomenon was by no means exclusive to the Jewish converts and did not affect the different strata of the “chueta” group equally.