Intro
Catalonia is a unique part of the world , nestled in northeastern Spain right on the Pyrenees which acts as a border between Spain and France. With its own language Catalan and its own traditions it is distinct from the rest of Spain to the extent it’s considered a nationality under Spanish law along with most other regions of the country. Since its incorporation into what would become Spain it has had a less than smooth relationship with Madrid In this article I’ll briefly explain why things are the way they are and the current state of affairs.
How it started
Catalonia’s history dates back to the pre-Roman times with evidence of early settlements from that time period but for times sake this is what you need to know in order to understand the present. The County of Barcelona had already become a significant political entity by the 12th century and eventually was incorporated into the kingdom of Aragon which also included modern day Valencia , Balearic Islands and Aragon all of whom share the same language. However, the region’s desire for autonomy began to clash with the growing power of the Kingdom of Castille, particularly during the War of Spanish Succession in the early 18th century. The defeat of Catalonia on September 11th 1714 a date which would later become a regional holiday in which it lost its autonomy marked the beginning of a long struggle for identity and autonomy that resonates to this day. Later on Barcelona would become a republican stronghold during the Spanish civil war which culminated in 1939 with its defeat by the Nationalist forces, which led to the Franco regime (1939-1975) where regional languages including Catalan were forbidden with very severe consequences for those who did. ,
After Franco’s death and the transition to democracy in 1978 Catalonia was granted a high degree of autonomy via the statute of autonomy in 1979. This allowed for catalan to be restored as an official language alongside Spanish promoted via media ,government ,and education. This period marked a revival in Catalan identity and pride which followed in the decades after.
Contemporary issues
In recent decades, political tensions between Catalonia and Madrid have not ceased with some notable examples particularly regarding issues of autonomy and independence. The most notable of which was when the Catalan Parliament declared independence in 2017 after a referendum under the leadership of then regional president Carles Puigdemont, leading to a national crisis that drew attention from around the world. This chapter of Catalonia’s history illustrates the deep-seated desire of many Catalans to assert their identity, often creating a divide between those who seek independence and those who prefer to remain part of Spain with mostly older people preferring independence though tensions are low at the moment .