The Origins of Modern Catalan Nationalism

Analysis of "Catalan Nationality" (1906)

The text presented for analysis is a political and historiographical work from 1906, written during the Spanish Restoration. This analysis constitutes a secondary source, as it was written in 1987 about the original 1906 document. The title, Catalan Nationality, reflects the political thinking of the era and articulates a principle of Catalan nationalism. It outlines two distinctive forms of this nationalism, differentiated by the relationship proponents believed Catalonia should have with Spain. It is important to distinguish this political nationalism from Catalanism, which primarily advocates for the preservation of Catalan culture and language.

The movement emerged during the Regency period in Spain, with key figures including:

• Francesc Cambó: A conservative Spanish politician, lawyer, and economist who co-founded and led the Regionalist League (Lliga Regionalista) and served as a minister in several Spanish governments.
• Enric Prat de la Riba: A leader who articulated his political doctrine in the work La Nacionalitat Catalana. He was a founder of the Regionalist League, the first major Catalanist party, and served as the first president of the Provincial Council of Barcelona.

The intended audience for this text is the general public, and its purpose is to explain the objectives of the Catalan nationality movement.

Historical Context of Catalan Nationalism

During the Restoration period, nationalist movements emerged in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia. In Spain, this nationalism was a reaction against the centralized political system and its attempt to impose a Castilianized official culture. The Catalan movement grew out of a literary and cultural revival known as the Renaixença, whose primary objective was the recovery of the Catalan language and culture.

Alongside this cultural movement, the labor movement grew in Catalonia, driven by industrialization and the development of the textile and steel industries. This movement can be divided into two stages:

First Stage (1875–1909)

The workers' movement went underground, forming anarchist and Marxist groups. Some anarchists opted for organized labor, leading to the founding of the CNT (Confederación Nacional del Trabajo), while others favored direct action. These groups often faced periods of severe repression. The objectives of the Marxist groups included:

• The emancipation of the working class.
• Transforming private property into public ownership.
• Winning political power for the proletariat.
• Improving workers' living and working conditions.

Second Stage (1909–1923)

This period was marked by significant events, such as the Tragic Week in Barcelona (1909). This was a series of violent riots sparked by the call-up of reserve troops for the war in Morocco, which ultimately led to the fall of Prime Minister Antonio Maura. Later, during World War I, Spanish businessmen profited from the country's neutrality, while the living conditions for the popular classes worsened, culminating in the general strike of 1917.