The Other Secessionist Movement

Many will hold their breath in anticipation this week as the Scots hold a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, on the southern side of Europe, another nationalist movement has been gaining ground. Last week in Spain, the eastern region of Catalonia celebrated its annual national holiday (referred to as “La Diada”) marking the 300-year anniversary of losing its independence in the War of Spanish Succession. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took peacefully to the streets to garner support for a similar referendum expected to be held in November this year. While the federal government in Madrid, unlike its counterpart in London, categorically refuses to recognize such initiatives, a “yes” vote in Scotland could add more fuel to the fire. Although Catalonia still has a long way to go before it builds the necessary foundations for its independence, its cries for freedom only add to the growing separatist momentum felt in contemporary Europe.

Catalonia’s complex relationship with the rest of Spain can be traced back to the 12th century, when a royal marriage merged the the County of Barcelona with the Kingdom of Aragon. From the 12th century through the 14th century, the Crown of Aragon extended its presence in the Mediterranean, taking areas such as Mallorca, Naples, Sardinia and Sicily. In 1469, a pivotal marriage between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille brought their two kingdoms together - a union which would create the most powerful kingdom in the Iberian peninsula. Under this new administration, local traditions were still respected, with regions such as Catalonia still wielding a large degree of political autonomy.

The relationship between the two became more unequal during the Age of Discovery, as Castille used its superior seapower to retain and absorb the vast wealth found in the Spanish colonies. A pivotal turning point came in the War of Spanish Succession, when the death of the Spanish monarch made the throne open for contention between the French and Austrian kings. The Catalans sided with the Austrian forces, but following the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the French were declared the victors and Catalonia found itself without international support. Barcelona was captured by Bourbon and Spanish forces on September 11th, 1714, and the new central government limited Catalonian political liberties and removed Catalan as the administrative language. Under Francisco Franco, Spain’s dictator for 40 years, Catalan and other regional languages were further suppressed. Since the return to democracy, Catalonia regained much of its autonomy, but the 2008 financial crisis and ensuing recession rekindled desires for independence.

The slow growth of Spain’s economy in the recent years has not done much to stop the kindling of nationalist flames. Last year, activists formed a 250-mile-long human chain across Catalonia, and this past week, half a million demonstrators filled the streets of Barcelona to form a giant “V” shape (symbolizing for “votes” and “victory”). The nationalists demand that Catalonia be allowed to have a referendum, which is currently scheduled for November 9th. Catalonia’s President Artur Mas has backed this request, and in a recent interview, stated that he believes that an independent Catalonia will become accepted into the European Union and will grow into a prospering nation. Others in his camp point to the fact that Catalonia carries 19% of Spain’s economy and 26% of its exports, but there are fears that a Catalonian withdrawal will only further drag down the Spanish economy and subsequently affect the rest of the Eurozone.

A “Yes” vote by Scotland on Thursday could carry drastic implications for the future of Catalonia. It would set a precedent that would give hope to other movements across the continent, including the Basque region in northern Spain, Flanders in Belgium and  Veneto in Italy. A “Yes” decision would also complicate European politics, as countries such as Spain would be unwilling to welcome an independent Scotland into the EU in fear that this would only encourage regions like Catalonia to vie for separation. Regardless of what happens in Scotland, however, it seems that the Catalonian nationalists are undeterred from having their November referendum. Recent polls show that 70% of Catalans want to be able to vote, but the number of sympathizers for and against independence remains closely balanced.

However, there may also be a third option for Catalonia - greater autonomy and financial independence from Spain. Some polls have even found that Catalans favor this option over outright separation. Regardless of what happens, Spanish governmental officials will have to deal with the outcome of the Scottish referendum and quickly learn how they can preserve their own centuries-old union. Other European countries ought to pay close attention as well, for these nationalist movements have the potential to destabilize an already fragmented continent.