From his birth up until he left Spain, the country experienced several social and political changes that shaped Juan Comas one way or another. The anarchist movement that began in the latter half of the 19th century saw Spain's workers perform massive strikes against the institutional monarchy, whose power was decreasing after the defeat in the Spanish–American and Cuban wars of 1898 (Vincent, 2007). During this period, up until 1931, Spain attempted to create an imagined Nationalist identity of its citizens. According to Vincent (2007:81), the Spanish state exercised jingoism, extreme patriotism through foreign policy. These endeavors were seen in universal manhood suffrage, the dedication of bullfights for a patriotic cause, and the repatriation of resources from its colonies. These actions of nationalism opened Comas’ eyes to how injustices, prejudices, and racial inequality could be constructed. These actions helped him form his beliefs later in life.