Nou Estat d'Europa - Catalonia's Quest for Independence
Open Access
Author:
Haspel, Benjamin
Area of Honors:
History
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Tobias Heinrich Albert Brinkmann, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Kathryn Elizabeth Salzer, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Spain Barcelona Catalonia Independence Secessionist Movement History Franco Autonomy Catalan
Abstract:
The Catalan independence question has moved to the center of Spanish politics in recent years, as support for an independent Catalonia has steadily grown. This thesis explores the history and agenda of the Catalan independence movement and critically evaluates the Catalan case for independence. A key question is how Catalan “independentists” have constructed a historical narrative to advance their political goals. Independentists focus on four significant time periods in Spanish and Catalan history to support their case. The thesis seeks to examine whether the historical narrative supporting an independent Catalonia is accurate and legitimate. The first time period is the 14th century, when Catalonia was given significant political autonomy and freedom. Catalan autonomy was lost at the end of the Spanish War of Succession in 1714. The third time period begins with the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and extends through General Franco’s dictatorship of Spain. Finally, the fourth time period is the Spanish constitutional settlement and the democratization process of Spain.
