Will Catalan split from Spain Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Will Catalan split from Spain - Research Paper Example succession ended in September 1714, Bourbon monarchy that emerged victorious suppressed Catalonia’s medieval institution of self-governance (The Trials,† economist.com). The former Spanish empire secluded Catalonia from diverse economic activities and trade and tried to dismantle its cultures for several decades before it permitted it to enjoy similar benefits. Towards the end of the 19th century, there was an emergence of political catalanism through Catalan Almirall, who was at the frontline in campaigning for the regions autonomy and later ‘Lliga de Catalunya’s political party was formed to promote economic, political and moral interests of Catalonia (Grejsen 7). Catalonia’s political parties and the society aimed for the democratic constitution and autonomy of Catalonia, which they needed established on Catalans own terms. The monarchy system was replaced by military dictatorship in the 1920s and though it initially supported catalanism, General Rivera’s authoritarian rule became inimical, which in turn spurred Catalania’s opposition and hostility to the Spanish government (Cameron, Ranis and Zinn 254). The fall of dictatorship and abolishment of the supportive monarchy in the 1930s led to Catalonia regaining regional government autonomy; a republic of Catalonia was announced in Spain and catalan language officiated by the Spanish republican parliament. The government did not last long and after trials for secession, it was returned to Spanish rule and after the Spanish civil war, General Franco overthrew the Catalan government. To suppress the Catalan culture and in effort to maintain national unity, his army completely occupied catalonia, executed hundreds of thousands of people, sacked most of Catalonia origins and replaced them with those loyal to the regime, rebels had to run into e xile for their safety in places like France; all this aimed to uproot the separatism, atheism and communism of Catalans (Eaude n.p.). Despite the forbidden