If you follow world news at all, you’re at least somewhat
aware that back in October, the region known as Catalonia declared independence
from Spain. Just as quickly as this happened, the central Spanish government
declared this move illegal and even arrested Catalan officials for rebellion.
Over the past two-three months, more and more developments have arisen and
frankly, it’s kind of confusing. Let’s begin with a bit of Catalan history to
help explain the Catalan fight for independence.
9th-15th Century
The area of and around Barcelona
(which would become the capital of Catalonia) was established in the 9th
century by Charlemagne to create a safeguard around what was remaining of
Catholic Spain or the Frankish empire, and to separate itself from the
Muslim-ruled areas of Spain and Portugal. Muslim rule did not decline in Spain
until after 1492. Around this time, the rules of Aragon acquired Catalonia,
although they allowed its inhabitants to keep their own identity, which even
this early was very different from that greater Spain.
17th-20th Century
Following the Thirty Years War,
Catalans grew increasingly hostile with Spanish leadership. Catalan peasants
were forced to house Castilian troops, who were less than wonderful
houseguests. This, paired with the growing debt to fund the war, Catalans
revolted against the crown in an uprising known as “Corpus de Sang”. Their
slogan was “Long live the land, death to bad government!”. This began The
Reaper’s War, which briefly led to Catalonia’s first succession. Under French
protection, Catalonia briefly declared itself a republic before it was re-occupied
by Spanish troops. The 18th and 19th centuries both saw a
similar tug-of-war for Catalan independence. Napoleon even briefly annexed
Catalonia to France from 1812-1813 amidst the First Carlist War, another piece
of Spain’s divisive history. This gave birth to the rise of Catalan nationalism
in the first part of the 20th century, leading to a cultural renaissance.
Until 1936.
The 20th Century
In 1936, General Francisco Franco (Bahamonde)
came into power as Caudillo of Spain following the Spanish Civil War (For
brevity’s sake, we’ll say “caudillo” basically means dictator here). While
left-wing Spanish Republicans fought to keep Franco’s rule from affecting
Catalonia and other regions that were once autonomous, Franco was able to run
them out in 1939—thwarting the left-wing resistance all over Spain. Under his
rule, all of Spain saw abolishment of various liberties. But throughout
Franco’s reign, Catalonia saw an utter obliteration of its culture and
language. Thousands of Catalan activists are exiled from Spain or even executed
until the death of Franco in 1975.
The authoritarian state ended with
the ascension of Juan Carlos I of Spain as King of Spain in 1975 after Franco’s
death. He even dismissed high-ranking officials who wanted to continue
authoritarian rule. In 1979, Catalonia was given a statute of autonomy and
Catalan was recognized as a nationality. He also made Catalan a joint official
language of Spain with Spanish. Catalonian even elected its own regional
government.
21st Century
From
2009-2011, Catalonia hold various non-binding elections regarding their
independence from Spain. However, in 2010 Spain’s central government in its
capital, Madrid, decide that there is no “legal” basis for recognizing Catalan
as an official nationality, much the Catalan’s disappointment. This came at a
time as Spain is affected greatly by the Eurozone crisis. Catalonia even asked
Spain for a bailout at this time. There’s growing social unrest as these events
culminate.
From 2013-2016, a power struggle between the Spanish capital
of Madrid and the Catalan capital of Barcelona begins to come to a head as
Catalan parliament begins series talks of independence. In 2015, Catalonia
begins the processes of seceding from Spain, and Spanish central courts quickly
revoke the bids to secede. Throughout 2016 and 2017, we see the capitals and
heads of state clash. Growing social unrest climaxes when, in October, Catalan
declares independence from Spain. Spanish authorities physically intervene, and
Spain declares direct rule. Catalan officials are arrested, and many are still
incarcerated as the Catalan separatist party declares victory in elections and
look to move forward with seceding from Spain, as of December.
It
remains to be seen how this crisis will pan out in 2018. Catalonia says it is
moving forward after it’s October referendum to declare independence. Every
week we seen new implications for Spain, Catalonia and Europe overall in this
predicament. Earlier this week, the football world was up in arms regarding
Barcelona player Lionel Messi, who said he would become a free agent if
Barcelona is no longer part of the Spanish league. The Spanish government has
numerously stated they would revoke Barcelona’s participation in the league. Clearly,
football isn’t going to stop Catalonia from achieving its goal of independence,
but it does show how this decision is affecting various aspects of European
culture. We will continue to watch and chronicle this fight for independence as
it grows increasingly tense.
