Sabino Arana and the Origins of Basque Nationalism

The Origins of Basque Nationalism: Sabino Arana

The text analyzed is a political and ideological manifesto written by Sabino Arana y Goiri, the founder of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV/EAJ). Written in 1894 during the Spanish Restoration, this document serves as a primary source that established the foundational ideology of the party.

Core Ideological Pillars

Sabino Arana outlined several key objectives for the Basque nation:

• Religious Identity: Biscay was to be Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman.
• Sovereignty: Biscay was envisioned as an independent state.
• Church and State: Despite the religious focus, Arana proposed a separation between the Church and the State.
• Federal Unity: The three provinces were to unite in a federal, independent state based on shared race, personality, customs, and faith.

Historical Context and Industrialization

Following the defeat of the Carlist army on February 28, 1876, the Spanish state moved to reduce Basque privileges and assert national unity. The subsequent industrialization, fueled by the iron trade, brought significant economic changes and social tensions. A massive influx of immigrants from other Spanish regions triggered a reactionary sentiment among the traditional population, which Arana synthesized into his political platform.

Key Concepts in Arana's Ideology

God and Religion

A cornerstone of the PNV was the Catholic religion. Arana aimed for the salvation of Basque souls, viewing immigrants as a negative influence due to their perceived immorality and affiliation with non-Catholic parties like the PSOE-UGT.

The Old Law (Fueros)

Arana justified Basque independence through the fueros (ancient charters). He rejected the term "privileges," insisting that these were inherent rights the Basque people possessed before the formation of the Spanish state. He envisioned a peasant society, free from immigration, unified by the Basque language.

Church-State Relations

While Arana advocated for the separation of Church and State, he maintained that civil laws should be drafted in accordance with Catholic doctrine. Although his initial project focused solely on Biscay, he eventually expanded his vision to include all provinces sharing a common Basque identity.

While the PNV has governed for many years, it has distanced itself from some of Arana's more extreme ideological positions, which have never been implemented in practice.