The Fight for Catalan Independence: A Timeline

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.

9^th-15^th Century

The area of and around Barcelona (which would become the capital of Catalonia) was established in the 9^th 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.

17^th-20^th 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 18^th and 19^th 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 20^th century, leading to a cultural renaissance. Until 1936.

The 20^th 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.

21^st 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.