Catalonia

Modern Catalonia (Catalunya) was established as an 'autonomous community' of Spain following the death of Franco in 1979. With Barcelona as its capital, Catalonia is one of the most prosperous and vibrant regions of Europe and demands for full self-government continue to grow. Modern Catalan separatism emerged in the 19th century in the support given to Carlism. 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. Catalan nationalism became a serious force after 1876 when the defeat of the Carlists led the church to transfer its support to the movement for autonomy. By 1913 Catalonia had won a slight degree of home rule, but the legislation conferring it was repealed in 1925 by Primo de Rivera, who attacked all manifestations of Catalan separatism. Rivera's policy led to the formation of a left-wing coalition party in Catalonia, the Esquerra Republicana. The Esquerra won a sweeping victory in the municipal elections of 1931, and two days later its leader proclaimed a Catalan Republic.
A compromise was worked out with the central government, and in September 1932 the statute of autonomy for Catalonia became law. Catalonia played a prominent role in the history of Republican Spain and in the Civil War (1936-39). The Nationalists' victory in 1939 meant the loss of autonomy, however, and General Francisco Franco's government adopted a repressive policy toward Catalan nationalism. The establishment of democratic rule in Spain after Franco's death did not lessen Catalonia's desire for autonomy, and in September 1977 limited autonomy was granted to the region. Full autonomy was granted in 1979 with the establishment of the autonomous community of Catalonia. The government established in 1979 consists of a Generalitat (an executive council headed by a president) and a unicameral parliament. This book will be the ideal introduction to the history, culture and people of Catalonia. It is the first volume in the major new Histories of Europe series from Welsh Academic Press. The series will celebrate the cultural and historic diversity of Europe from the perspective of the small nations and regions.