Puigdemont stated that the result highlighted Catalonia’s continued commitment to independence, and he called for talks to be held—in Belgium, where he remained in self-imposed exile, or in some other EU country—between Catalonian leaders and the Spanish government. The Popular Unity Candidacy had opposed the retention of Mas as Catalan president, and the survival of the coalition hinged on an agreement between the pro-independence parties regarding a compromise candidate. After the marriage of John II’s son Ferdinand with Isabella of Castile (1469) had brought about the unification of Spain, Catalonia became of secondary importance in Spanish affairs. It was, however, a union of crowns and not of kingdoms. Catalonia revolted against King Philip IV of Spain – In the 15th century, Catalonia lost its autonomy … By 1913 Catalonia had won a slight degree of autonomy, but the legislation conferring it was repealed in 1925 by Miguel Primo de Rivera, who attacked all manifestations of Catalan nationalism. Separatist views in Catalonia have gained worldwide attention as Catalans continue to ask for secession and now those with these sentiments constitute a greater proportion of the population than ever before. Castilian (Spanish) became the only language of education, … In Catalonia it also meant, yet again, the annulment of the Statute of Autonomy, the banning of the whole specifically Catalan institutions and legislation. Perhaps emboldened by the events in Catalonia, on October 22 voters in the northern Italian regions of Veneto and Lombardy overwhelmingly backed referenda that called for greater local autonomy. Pro-independence politicians and activists conveniently forget that all four Catalan provinces approved with high percentages of the popular vote the 1978 Constitution in a referendum and argue that democracy today demands acknowledging the right to self-determination for Catalonia, something completely outside of the scope of the Spanish constitution. Occupied during the 5th century ce by the Goths, it was taken by the Moors in 712 and at the end of the 8th century by Charlemagne, who incorporated it into his realm as the Spanish March, ruled by a count. Catalonia has been a part of Spain for centuries, the Catalan people long for independence and freedom from their long-time partner. A compromise was worked out with the central government, and in September 1932 the statute of autonomy for Catalonia became law. In the 20th century there was additional concentration of population in the city of Barcelona and its satellite towns. Catalonia was one of the first Roman possessions in Spain. On the eve of the vote, opinion polls found that Catalans were roughly evenly split on the issue of independence, but an overwhelming majority favoured putting the issue to a fair and legal vote. Catalonia’s traditional agriculture was centred on the production of wine, almonds, and olive oil for export, as well as rice, potatoes, and corn (maize) as staples. The resurgence really began in the 1850s, however, when serious efforts were made to revive Catalan as a living language with its own press and theatre—a movement known as the Renaixença (“Rebirth”). They vote 92.01% in favor of it. ... 2014, and the referendum on Catalan independence held on October 1, 2017. After the death of Franco in 1975, democracy took its strong footing in Spain. Convergence and Union leader Artur Mas speaking at a rally prior to snap parliamentary elections in Catalonia, November 23, 2012. On October 1, when the referendum was held, violence broke out. The history of the independence movement Catalan nationalists have pressed for greater autonomy for decades. After the Spanish government announced that it would be pursuing criminal charges against the sacked Catalonian leaders, Puigdemont and some of his closest advisors disappeared, resurfacing a short time later in Brussels. Catalan people who identity as only Catalan prefer independence 74% of the time while those who identify as equally Spanish and Catalan want independence under 20% of the time (Boylan, 2005). Ferdinand and Isabella ruled jointly in both kingdoms and were known as the Catholic Monarchs (Reyes Católicos). Research Scientist, Instituto de Economía y Geografía, Madrid, Spain. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest, and the Spanish interior ministry responded by moving to assert central control over the regional Catalan police force. Scotland’s referendum on independence from the United Kingdom in September 2014, although ultimately unsuccessful, galvanized the independence movement in Catalonia. Many people saw this … Catalan officials stated that turnout was around 42 percent, with 90 percent of voters voicing their support for independence; the chaotic nature of the vote and the confiscation of ballots by Spanish authorities meant that such figures had to be regarded as approximations at best. Teaching the history of Catalonia and Spain is an issue that has a strong resonance within this debate. The provinces of Tarragona, Barcelona, and Girona have a Mediterranean shoreline, and the low-lying Catalanides range separates the coastal plain from the Ebro river basin. On October 1, a referendum on independence was held in Catalonia. Undeterred, a defiant Puigdemont announced in June 2017 that Catalonia would hold a binding referendum on independence on October 1, 2017. This is when most major cities in Catalonia were founded (although some were founded under the Phoneticians). The autonomous community of Catalonia occupies a triangular area in the northeastern corner of Spain. Citizens have used aspects of the regions cultural history as acts of protest; such as the castles—called castellers—or human towers in favor of independence throughout Europe or the “Via Catalana” on September 11, 2013. Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence nine days later but proposed its effects be suspended for two months to allow for dialogue. “Post-Franco” Spain clamping down on “democratic Catalonia” Madrid’s conservative government is … Puigdemont addressed both the violence and the result by saying, “On this day of hope and suffering, Catalonia’s citizens have earned the right to have an independent state in the form of a republic.” Rajoy countered by stating that the referendum was a “mockery” of democracy, and Spanish officials blamed police violence on the “irresponsibility of the Catalan government.” International human rights organizations condemned the violence against voters, but the response from EU leaders was largely muted, with most characterizing it as an internal matter for the Spanish government. Ferdinand and Isabella ruled jointly in both kingdoms and were known as the Catholic Monarchs (Reyes Católicos). CATALONIA IS NOT SPAIN. Catalonia, which is Spain’s richest region, has a distinct cultural heritage and language. Pro-independence campaigners celebrating La Diada, Catalonia's national day, September 11, 2015. Though it retained its autonomy and Generalitat (assembly), by the 17th century its conflict of interest with Castile, along with the decline of the Spanish monarchy’s prestige, led to the first of a series of Catalan separatist movements. From the 17th century it was the centre of a separatist movement that sometimes dominated Spanish affairs. Llorens, Montserrat, Ortega, Rosa and Roig, Joan. Catalonia was formerly a principality of the crown of Aragon, and it has played an important role in the history of the Iberian Peninsula. In 2006 Catalonia was granted “nation” status and given the same level of taxation responsibility as the Spanish central government. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Catalonia was the first part of Hispania, to be settled by the Romans. The democratic environment came as a huge sigh of relief to The push for independence crystallized during the fallout of the global financial crisis in 2008. The Catalanides have historically separated the industrial towns of the coast from the predominantly agricultural settlements of the hinterlands. The Citizens Party, which favoured continued union with Spain, received more than a quarter of the votes and was the winner. Catalonia was formerly a principality of the crown of Aragon, and it has played an important role in the history of the Iberian Peninsula. Slightly more than one-third of Catalonia remains under cultivation, and the traditional crops of olives and grapes are being supplanted by fruits and vegetables for consumption in the cities. 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