The gas of Madrid and the foreign credit companies in Spain, 1856-1890

Abstract

The pass of Law of Credit Companies in Spain allowed, in 1856, the introduction of foreign financial companies in the Spanish economic system. This Law enabled the intervention of foreign capitals in the national economy, and favored its actions in some infrastructures, as the gas networks, whose volume of business demanded considerable amounts of capitals. After explaining some general characteristics of the beginning and the development of coal gas industry, we will refer essentially to Madrid, to indicate some scarcely explored economic relations between different foreign organizations of credit established in Spain. Finally, we will expose a balance of all explained as conclusions.