The Evolution of Catalanism: From Renaixença to Regionalism
Renaixença and Popular Culture
The Renaixença was a cultural movement that began in Catalonia in the 1830s, advocating for the public use of the Catalan language and culture. In 1859, the celebration of the Floral Games commenced. The Renaixença Popular was a cultural movement of a popular character that promoted the use of Catalan through platforms such as theater. Key figures included Anselm Clavé, Abdó Terrades, and Frederic Soler.
Origins of Catalanism and Federalism
The origins of Catalanism emerged from protest movements against the centralization of the liberal state. Federalism, promoted by Abdó Terrades, led to the creation of the Federal Democratic Republican Party. In 1869, a group of federal Catalans signed the Federal Pact of Tortosa, an agreement to promote a federal state based on Spanish popular sovereignty. Other notable federalists included Josep Maria Vallès i Ribot and Pi i Maragall.
Valentí Almirall and Political Action
Valentí Almirall was a leading figure in Catalan politics who promoted specifically Catalan political action outside of national parties. He organized the First Catalanist Congress (1880) and created the Catalan Center (1882), which developed a program of propaganda centers throughout the principality. He also convened the Second Catalanist Congress (1883) and authored Lo Catalanisme, which exposed the ideological bases of progressive Catalanism. The Memorial de Greuges (Memorial of Grievances) was a manifesto presented to Alfonso XII, denouncing centralism and demanding the right to promote regional life.
Conservative Movements and Organizations
Lliga de Catalunya (1887)
The Lliga de Catalunya was a project more conservative than Almirall's. They advocated for the official status of the Catalan language, the defense of Catalan civil law, protectionism, and Catalan nationalist politics. They led a campaign against the planned reform of the civil code.
Catalan Traditionalism
Catalan Traditionalism had its roots in Carlism and found support in rural Catalonia. It initially lacked interest in formal politics. Notable leaders included Albert Rusiñol, Bartomeu Robert, Domènech i Montaner, and Sebastià Torres.
Catalanist Union (1891)
The Catalanist Union was a federation of Catalan nationalists. Its objectives were the dissemination of Catalanism and the development of a common agenda. They produced the Bases de Manresa, a document reflecting the principles of political Catalanism, establishing a regional power based on full sovereignty and proclaiming the official status of Catalonia and the Catalan language.
Regionalist League (1901)
The Regionalist League was the result of a merger between the Catalanist Union and the National Center. It was the first Catalan nationalist party with a significant presence and a broad electoral social base. It defended the autonomy of Catalonia, led by figures such as Prat de la Riba and Puig i Cadafalch, with a program focused on fighting the centralist system.