Catalan independence

Quick Facts: Who was Catalan independence?

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Catalan independence

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A long-standing political movement seeking Catalan statehood and independence from Spain.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Catalan independence movement (Catalan: independentisme català; Spanish: independentismo catalán; Occitan: independentisme catalan) is a social and political movement with roots in Catalan nationalism that seeks the independence of Catalonia from Spain and the establishment of a new Catalan Republic. While proposals, organizations and individuals advocating for Catalan independence or the restitution of statehood for the Principality of Catalonia existed through the 18th and 19th centuries, the beginnings of the independence movement in Catalonia can be traced back to regionalism and Catalan nationalism from the mid–19th century, influenced by romantic ideas widespread in Europe at the time. The first relevant organised Catalan independence party was Estat Català ("Catalan State"), founded in 1922 by Francesc Macià. In 1931, Estat Català and other parties formed Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya ("Republican Left of Catalonia", ERC). Macià proclaimed a Catalan Republic within an Iberian Federation in 1931, subsequently accepting autonomy within the Spanish Republic after negotiations with the leaders of the provisional Spanish Republican government.

Career & Major Achievements

During the Spanish Civil War, General Francisco Franco abolished Catalan autonomy in 1938. Following Franco's death in 1975, Catalan political parties concentrated on the recovery and further increase of autonomy rather than independence, which was restricted to extraparliamentary Marxist organizations and internal factions of mainstream parties. The contemporary independence movement began around 2009 after a series of events, including the 2008 financial crisis and the Partido Popular (People's Party) challenging the 2006 Statute of Autonomy in the Constitutional Court of Spain; Catalan municipalities held symbolic referendums on independence between 2009 and 2011. The 2010 ruling of the court that parts of the statute were unconstitutional sparked huge protests, and a snap election in 2012 led to the first pro-independence majority ever in the Catalan parliament. The new government held a "non-binding" self-determination referendum in 2014, which yielded a large majority in favour of independence, but with a low turnout due to boycotting by anti-independence voters.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A further election in 2015 was followed by the calling of a new, binding referendum. This was however considered illegal by the Spanish government and the Constitutional Court, as the Catalan government lacks legal jurisdiction to organize referendums. The referendum was nonetheless held in 2017 amidst great political and social controversy including police violence aimed at stopping it both before and during the voting. Amidst large protests from both the pro- and anti-independence camps, the Catalan parliament approved a motion with the aim to proclaim an independent republic. At the same time, the Spanish senate voted to take control of the Catalan institutions until new regional elections.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1922: 1922 Milestone — The first relevant organised Catalan independence party was Estat Català ("Catalan State"), founded in 1922 by Francesc Macià.
2. 1931: 1931 Milestone — In 1931, Estat Català and other parties formed Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya ("Republican Left of Catalonia", ERC).
3. 1938: 1938 Milestone — During the Spanish Civil War, General Francisco Franco abolished Catalan autonomy in 1938.
4. 1975: 1975 Milestone — Following Franco's death in 1975, Catalan political parties concentrated on the recovery and further increase of autonomy rather than independence, which was restricted to extraparliamentary Marxist organizations and internal factions of mainstream parties.
5. 2009: 2009 Milestone — The contemporary independence movement began around 2009 after a series of events, including the 2008 financial crisis and the Partido Popular (People's Party) challenging the 2006 Statute of Autonomy in the Constitutional Court of Spain; Catalan municipalities held symbolic referendums on independence between 2009 and 2011.
6. 2010: 2010 Milestone — The 2010 ruling of the court that parts of the statute were unconstitutional sparked huge protests, and a snap election in 2012 led to the first pro-independence majority ever in the Catalan parliament.
7. 2014: 2014 Milestone — The new government held a "non-binding" self-determination referendum in 2014, which yielded a large majority in favour of independence, but with a low turnout due to boycotting by anti-independence voters.
8. 2015: 2015 Milestone — A further election in 2015 was followed by the calling of a new, binding referendum.
9. 2017: 2017 Milestone — The referendum was nonetheless held in 2017 amidst great political and social controversy including police violence aimed at stopping it both before and during the voting.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Catalan independence

True or False: “The Principality of Catalonia maintained its full legal autonomy without any resistance during the union with Castile in the late 15th century.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The various polities of the Crown of Aragon fought a civil war (the Catalan Civil War, 1462–1472) to defend their laws and customs against centralizing forces.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Catalan independence