Petroleum Revolution

The Petroleum Revolution (Valencian: La Revolució del Petroli) was a libertarian and syndicalist leaning workers' revolution that took place in Alcoy, Alicante, Spain in 1873. The event derives its name from the petroleum-soaked torches carried by revolting workers. During those days, according to chroniclers, the city stank of petroleum.

This situation placed the city of Alcoy on the frontlines of the social conflicts of this era, due to the poor situation of the workers, who organised themselves and were pioneers in the establishment of the International Workingmen's Association (AIT) in Spain. During the revolution, workers seized control of the city for several days in July 1873 in the course of a general strike, which eventually became a riot, against the republican mayor Agustí Albors (better known as Pelletes). During the revolt, Albors gave the order to fire on demonstrators, who defended themselves by assaulting the town hall, executing the mayor, and trapping the rest of the municipal leadership in the building.

The city and was governed from 9–13 July 1873 by a "Committee of Public Safety," presided over by Severino Albarracín. The demonstrators declared a series of pay raises and a reduction of the working day. The revolt ended with the intervention of the federal army and the military occupation of the city, hefty repression against the revolutionaries, and practically no improvements for the labouring class. More than 600 workers were put on trial, including minors between 12 and 17 years of age. Many of the accused were condemned to death.