Catalanism's Genesis: Autonomy, Civil Law, and Early Political Movements

Early Catalanism: Autonomy and Civil Law

The most conservative elements were better synchronized with the bourgeoisie. In 1888, a document titled "Message to the Queen Regent" was signed, calling for autonomy for Catalonia. There was also a campaign in defense of Catalan civil law, as the government in Madrid sought to reform the civil code, aiming for uniform laws across all regions. Through this campaign, Catalonia successfully retained its own civil law, which is considered the first victory for Catalanism.

Conservative Catalanism and its Foundations

When Spain transitioned from the Ancien Régime to the liberal state, the Church initially endorsed Carlism. However, with the establishment of the liberal state, the Church slowly abandoned this ideology. The group that most influenced this change within the Church was Vigatanisme.

The Rise of Vigatanisme

Vigatanisme was a cultural movement, driven by the religious community of Vic. Key figures include Jaume Collell (priest) and Josep Morgades (bishop). Their ideologies were expressed through the newspaper La Veu de Montserrat. Closely related to Vigatanisme was Josep Torras i Bages, also Bishop of Vic. He advocated a Christian Catalan identity, believing it was inconceivable not to be both Catalan and Catholic. His ideology was articulated in his book La Tradició Catalana.

The Unió Catalanista and the Bases de Manresa

In 1891, the Unió Catalanista was founded. Its goal was to unite all Catalanist entities and movements. This new organization gained broad support, especially in rural lower Catalonia, and played a major role in raising Catalan awareness. It advocated for self-government for Catalonia, the defense of Catalan civil law, and recognized the need to become a political party capable of contesting elections. One of the Union's first actions was to convene an assembly in Manresa in 1892 to draft a political agenda: the Bases de Manresa. The Bases de Manresa were divided into two parts: the first concerning the Spanish state, and the second on the powers to be assumed by Catalonia. It was an archaic-leaning document. Though never applied, it remains a significant political text.

Regenerationism and the Disaster of 1898

Impact on Catalan Politics

With the Disaster of 1898, the dynastic parties in Catalonia became discredited, as it became clear they were unable to influence Spanish policy. A significant part of the Catalan bourgeoisie viewed regenerationist ideas favorably and supported the first regenerationist government in Spain: Silvela-Polavieja. These two government ministers promised many reforms.