A Determined Catalonia Will Secede from Spain

Luca LaFayette
World Civilizations 2: Tom Laichas, Period B
May 15, 2015
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Catalonia is a region in Spain that has always been culturally, economically, and socially

different than Spain. The Catalan people have felt out of place for many years. In 1938, Spanish

dictator Francisco Franco forcefully claimed control of Spain, and ruled for the next 36 years.

While Franco was in control of this region, he killed 3,500 Catalans and forced many more into

exile. Franco set out to destroy Catalan, the language, in an effort to make one united Spain.

Catalonia wants to secede from Spain because they believe that their cultural, economic, and

social differences allow them the right to form an independent country. Regional Prime Minister

of Catalonia, Artur Mas, the main voice of this independence movement, argues that Catalonia

remains a distinct society. He has led an unofficial vote in the region for secession. Spain will

not acknowledge the vote because Madrid, which is the center of the Spanish government, is not

willing to take the risk of losing Catalonia. Spain needs Catalonia to stay as a part of their

country because Catalonia is economically robust. Catalonia is 20% of Spains economic output

and the industrial heartland of the country. If Catalonia became independent, it would affect

Spain but it would not affect the European Union. Both Catalonia and the European Union

would reap benefits from Catalonias independence and eventual entry into the EU. Catalonias

economic potential is endless when not being slowed down by the Spanish government. The

European Union promotes democracy and would not deny Catalonia from democratically

entering the EU, which would be beneficial for Catalonia. Catalonia should become independent

from Spain, which the European Union will support because Catalonia is an economic

powerhouse. The Spanish government refuses to recognize Catalonias views on independence,

which ignores their democratic rights.

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Fig. 1

The Region of Catalonia

Source: Political Geography Now, Catalonia: Europes Newest Nation? at

www.polgeonow.com/2013/02/catalonia-europes-newest-nation.html

Catalans have thought themselves separate from Spain since the Middle Ages.1

According to The Economist, Catalonia has not been an independent country since the 12th

Century.2 Catalonia has once again pushed towards independence, just like it did hundreds of

1 BBC News. Catalonia Profile. Last modified November 10, 2014. Accessed December 14, 2014.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20345071.

2 The Economist. "Spain and Catalonia: The trials of keeping a country together." Last modified
November 24, 2012. Accessed December 13, 2014. http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/
21567085-stabilising-spains-finances-without-tearing-its-social-fabric-apart-being-made-harder.
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years ago. Many different leaders took control of Spain over the next six hundred years.

Catalonia suffered from these consistent changes of power, resulting in Spain controlling the

region. During the 18th Century, Spain tried to eliminate Catalan, the language, by introducing

Spanish. Through the administration and laws, Catalan was forbidden from schools and the

entire country.3 The Catalan people kept the language alive by speaking privately behind the

governments back. The Spanish government constantly dehumanized the Catalonians by trying

to take away their language, and thus their culture. The Catalans did not surrender their culture

and ignored the governments laws against the language. The first home-rule party, the Lliga de

Catalunya, was founded in 1887, and disputes with the federal government continued. 4 The

Spanish government gave up on trying to suppress Catalonia in 1931 and restored the

Generalitat, the national Catalan government. 5 This action gave Catalonia a broad autonomy. 6

However, six years later, Franco came in.

A Spanish Civil War erupted in 1936 and lasted until 1939. In October of 1936,

Francisco Franco became leader of the Nationalists and declared himself the military leader of

Spain.7 After the Nationalists won the Civil War, Franco became the official dictator of Spain.

3 Reencounter with Roots. "Spanish Secret Conflict [Documentary about Catalonia]." Video file, 39:45. YouTube.
March 12, 2012. Accessed February 14, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=iJ_cAQ8j1O8.

4 Roger Williams. Barcelona & Catalonia. New York, U.S.A: DK Publishing, 2014.

5 Harriet Alexander. "Why does Catalonia want independence from Spain?" The Telegraph. Last modified
October 22, 2014. Accessed December 13, 2014. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/
spain/11179914/Why-does-Catalonia-want-independence-from-Spain.html.

6 BBC News. Catalonia Profile.

7 Great Events. "Civil War Erupts in Spain." In 1931-1939, 388. Vol. 3. Accessed January 11, 2015.
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=13&sid=1139bab3-706c-4449-bed1-b2d6b678228a
%40sessionmgr4002&hid=4204&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=khh&AN=6347310.
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The dictatorship of Francisco Franco brought suppression of political opposition as well as

Catalan autonomy, language, and culture. 8 Francisco Franco believed in a united Spain that

consisted of one language, one culture, and no autonomy. Franco attempted to eliminate the

Catalan identity by killing 3,500 Catalans and forcing many more into exile.9 These actions

lasted for the length of his 36 year reign.10 Catalans who have lived through the reign of Franco

describe it as a time where there was no freedom of speech or freedom of identity. After

Francos death, Spain returned to a monarchy that then made the transition to a democracy.11

Catalan, the language, once again became legal. The Spanish government named Catalan the

second national language of Spain, trying to unify the broken region with the central

government. In 1979, Catalonia was given another statute of autonomy and was recognized as a

nationality.12 The fight against the Spanish government for the Catalonian culture resulted in a

Catalonian hatred towards Madrid.

Catalonians are presently trying to become independent from Spain. Artur Mas, the

leader of the Catalan movement, held an unofficial vote for Catalan independence on November

9, 2014 in Catalonias main city, Barcelona. The Spanish government refused to recognize the

vote.

8 Joe Litobarski, ed. "Arguments for and against Catalonia independence." Debating Europe.
Accessed December 13, 2014. http://www.debatingeurope.eu/focus/independence-catalonia/#.VIzA8RZS_bV.

9 Harriet Alexander. "Why does Catalonia want independence from Spain?" The Telegraph.

10 BBC News. "Spain Profile." Last modified October 14, 2014. Accessed December 14, 2014.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17941641.

11 Stacy Taus-Bolstad. Spain in Pictures. Minneapolis, U.S.A.: Lerner Publications Company, n.d.

12 Joe Litobarski, ed. "Arguments for and against Catalonia independence." Debating Europe.
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Catalans have long sought autonomy from the Spanish central government
in Madrid, but this was the first time they voted explicitly on
independence. Many were on the losing side of Spains 1936-1939 civil
war and suffering repression under the nearly four decades of military rule
that followed, during which their language and local holidays were
banned. More recently, in Spains economic crisis, many Catalans
believed their wealthy region was unfairly subsidizing poorer parts of
Spain.13

The older generation remembers the incidents that happened during Francos rule. These

people tell stories to the younger generation, making them rise up too. The Catalan youth have

mobilized this independence movement through social networks.14 The vote went off peacefully

and about 2.25 million Catalonians participated. The vote violated Spanish law; however, the

Catalans were peaceful in their strive for independence. During the vote, in other parts of Spain,

Spanish citizens burned Catalan flags in a protest against independence. Catalonia has a right to

self-determination. That right has been extended to other parts of the world. According to the

Catalan people, the vote represented patriotism and the people felt that all Catalans wanted the

same thing.15 Throughout the vote in Catalonia, videos of the Berlin Wall and Nelson Mandela

played, representing the Catalan desire for independence. Although the Spanish government

refuses to recognize the vote, Artur Mas preaches the vote was a total success and that

Catalonia has proven that it wants to govern itself. The vote resulted in 80% of Catalonians

13 Lauren Frayer. "Catalonia Votes For Independence; Spain Says It Won't Happen." NPR. Last modified
November 10, 2014. Accessed December 13, 2014. http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/11/10/
362952892/referendums-outcome-indicates-catalonias-desire-for-independence.

14 Lauren, Frayer. "New Generation Of Catalonian Separatists Looks To Future, Not Past." Audio file.
NPR. November 6, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015. http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/11/06/
358107234/new-generation-of-catalonian-separatists-looks-to-future-not-past.

15 RT. "80% of Catalans say 'Yes' to independence in symbolic referendum." Last modified
November 10, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015. http://rt.com/news/
203799-catalonia-independence-vote-spain/.
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wanting to split from Spain. The high voting result has injected urgency into this movement.16

Madrid has done nothing to make the Catalan people want to stay as a part of Spain besides

making threats.17 Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dehumanizes Artur Mas, by saying,

Never in history has a leader wasted so much time, generated so much confusion, and provoked

such instability. 18 Madrid socialists have been very unwilling to share powers. Catalans were

promised more power and a separate autonomy statute from the Spanish government. The

socialists were striving for a strong sense of government and did not want to be threatened by

regional tendencies.19 Although Spain is considered a democracy, Catalonia cannot legally vote

to break away according to the constitution.20 Spanish deputy prime minister Soraya Sanez de

Santamaria says, It will be difficult to reach an agreement, because, I tell you, neither this

government or this party will agree to secession. 21 Before this independence movement,

Catalonia had asked for more autonomy from the Spanish government. The central government

16 Paul, Ames. "Catalonia vote leaves independence unresolved." Global Post. Last modified November 10,
2014. Accessed December 14, 2014. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/spain/
141110/catalonia-vote-leaves-independence-unresolved.

17 CEPS. "In or out? Scotland, Catalonia and the EU." The Centre for European Policy Studies. Last
modified September 8, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015. http://www.ceps.eu/system/files/u153872/
CEPS%20-%20In%20or%20out%20of%20the%20EU%20-%20Scotland%20and%20Catalonia%20-%20draft
%20programme%20-%20140908.pdf.

18 Matt, Moffett. "Spains Rajoy Rails Against Catalan Bid for Independence." The Wall Street Journal,
November 29, 2014. Accessed February 15, 2015. http://www.wsj.com/articles/
spains-rajoy-rails-against-catalan-bid-for-independence-1417278047.

19 John, Darnton. "Madrid Gets a Message From Regions: Autonomy." New York Times, May 10, 1984.
Accessed February 15, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/10/world/
madrid-gets-a-message-from-regions-autonomy.html.

20 BBC News Europe. "Scottish or Catalan vote 'torpedoes EU', says Spain's
Rajoy," September 17, 2014. Accessed January 12, 2015. http://www.bbc.com/news/
world-europe-29234242.

21 Euro News. "Spain: no negotiation on Catalonia independence." Last modified November 11, 2014.
Accessed December 14, 2014. http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/11/
spain-no-negotiation-on-catalonia-independence/.
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refused to give autonomy to Catalonia because Madrid wanted to maintain control of Catalonia

and their profits. Although the Spanish government refuses to recognize the vote for

independence the Catalan people will continue to fight until their vote is heard.

The Spanish government argues that Catalonia must remain a part of Spain because

Europe needs solidity. Catalan dissidents maintain a belief that the independence movement is a

result of selfish economic nationalism. Catalonia contributes more money to the government

than any other region in Spain. Catalans believe that their hard work should not benefit the

people that oppose them. Although the secession would affect Spain, it would not greatly affect

Europe. Catalonia, would not be leaving Europe, they would be leaving Spain. The Spanish

government consistently states that if Catalonia were to secede, the EU may not accept them.

Mariano Rajoy, states, Catalonia will have to apply for the EU. Mariano Rajoy does not know

this for sure, but this is one of many attempts to scare Catalonia into staying.22 However, the

EU wants to keep Catalonia because they have an economic interest in them. Catalonia meets all

the requirements to remain in the EU and has been applying EU legislation for a long time. If

Catalonia were to secede, this action would take place by democratic vote. Since the EU

promotes democracy, they would be forced to recognize a democratic vote for independence.23

Catalonia would be deciding to leave the member state of Spain, but not the EU. If Catalonia

became independent from Spain, the EU would be forced to recognize the vote because non-

recognition would be seen as non-democratic. Opponents of independence also argue that

22 BBC News Europe. "Scottish or Catalan vote 'torpedoes EU', says Spain's Rajoy,"

23 Jordi Sole, I Ferrando. Jordi Sole I Ferrando to Euobserver newsgroup, "Would an independent
Catalonia remain in the EU?," September 30, 2013. Accessed January 12, 2015.
https://euobserver.com/opinion/121565.
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Europe lacks a coherent approach to newly independent states and is ill-prepared to make a

confident decision; however, more than two dozen states have achieved recognition in the past

20 years.24 Although Catalonias departure would affect Spain, it would not affect the rest of

Europe.

The opposition also argues that Catalonia has not been an independent country since the

12th Century. However, the region of Catalonia has endured more than most countries around

the world. Francisco Franco was one of many people who tried to assimilate the Catalans into

the Spanish culture. The Catalans prevailed and held on to their culture subversively. The

Catalan people have been under Spains rule for centuries and are willing to defy the government

in order to become independent. Catalonias economy bolsters poorer parts of Spain because

their economy is greater. With an economy that aids other regions, Catalonia can stand by itself.

Although Catalonia has not been independent since the 12th Century, their people are ready to

take control and rule independently.

The Catalonian culture is different from the Spanish culture. Although Catalonia is a part

of Spain, the Catalans were oppressed by the Spanish government, furthering the bond of their

culture. They have a different history than the rest of Spain. They also have a different

language. Although Catalan is one of the nations languages, the rest of Spain (besides

Catalonia) sees it being used and taught in schools as disrespectful and an attempt to eliminate

Spanish in Catalonia. The Spanish people have placed stereotypes on the Catalonian people.

Some Spanish people say, Catalonia needs to be put in its place, referring to the Catalonian

24 Paul R. Williams, and Roushani Mansoor. "How the Voters of Catalonia May Change Europe."
Atlantic Council (blog). Entry posted January 16, 2014. Accessed February 14, 2015.
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/how-the-voters-of-catalonia-may-change-europe.
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independence movement. 25 The Catalans dont dance flamenco, and they have banned

bullfighting because they see it as barbaric. The Catalonian flag represents the independence

movement.26 Catalans call it the independence flag. The Spanish government has enacted a law

in order to have the Spanish flag flown throughout Catalonia. True independence advocates

break the law to show that Catalonia is not Spain and the different flags represent different

cultures.

Fig. 2

The flag of Spain

Source: Enchanted Learning, Flag of Spain at

25 Reencounter with Roots. "Spanish Secret Conflict [Documentary about Catalonia]." Video file, 39:45. YouTube.

26 Joe Litobarski, ed. "Arguments for and against Catalonia independence." Debating Europe.
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www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/spain/flag/

Fig. 3

The Catalan Independence Flag

Source: Barcelonas, Catalan Flags at

www.barcelonas.com/catalan-flags.html

Francisco Francos goal was to eliminate the Catalan culture; however, his oppression tactics

made the culture stronger. The Catalans have endured subjugation from not only the Spanish

government, but also from the Spanish people. During the vote, there were violent burnings of

the Catalan flag.27 While the Spanish people were disgracing the Catalan culture, the

Catalonians vote went off peacefully. This maturity from the Catalonians showed that if they

were to democratically vote for independence they would do so peacefully.

The thriving Catalan economy drives the Catalan independence movement. The Catalan

region has long been the industrial heartland of Spain. Catalonia tops Madrid, which is the seat

of the central government, by contributing of Spains overall GDP. Catalonia also contributes

27 RT. "80% of Catalans say 'Yes' to independence in symbolic referendum."

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25.1% of Spains exports, as opposed to Madrids 13.1%.28 Catalonia alone has a higher GDP

than the rest of Spain and the EU. Barcelona is Spains busiest manufacturing city, and its harbor

has one of the largest Mediterranean ports.29 Catalonias high economic value is the sole reason

why Madrid fights to keep them a part of Spain. Spanish government taxes the high value

Catalonians more in order to subsidize poorer regions. 30

28 Matt Moffett. "Spains Rajoy Rails Against Catalan Bid for Independence." The Wall Street Journal

29 Stacy Taus-Bolstad. Spain in Pictures. Minneapolis, U.S.A.

30 CEPS. "In or out? Scotland, Catalonia and the EU." The Centre for European Policy Studies.
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Fig. 4

Spains National Exports, GDP, and Population

Source: CIDOB, Spanish Leading Exports Regions at

www.cidob.org/en/publications/articulos/spain_in_focus/july_2012/spanish_exports_no_crisis
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Not only is Catalonia by far the most highly taxed region in Spain, it is the most highly taxed

region in Europe.31 Spains spending has consistently been 10% or more than its revenue.32 The

economic crisis in Spain has served to magnify calls for Catalan independence as the wealthy

Barcelona region is seen as propping up the rest of poorer Spain. 33 The high tax demands from

the Spanish government have put Catalonia into debt. This high taxation has left the wealthy

region struggling to provide basic services to its people. Catalonia has an unequal partnership

with the Spanish government compared to the other regions of Spain. The refusal of the Madrid

government to grant Catalonia even the fiscal autonomy enjoyed by the Basque Country, shows

that, according to this argument, only through independence will Barcelona be able to take

control of its finances and economic future. 34 Catalonia wants to become independent to have

the power to control their economy.

Catalonias strive towards independence will not end until there is a solution. One

possible solution is Catalonia voting democratically for independence and Spain dealing with the

consequences of losing Catalonia. Even if the independence led to Catalan products suffering,

more than half of Catalans would still vote for independence.35 Catalonia will not stop until they

31 Reencounter with Roots. "Spanish Secret Conflict [Documentary about Catalonia]." Video file, 39:45. YouTube.

32 The Economist. "State of Denial." Graphic source. October 27, 2012. Accessed February 15, 2015.
http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/
21565214-when-bail-out-spain-arrives-it-likely-be-prolonged-state-denial.

33 Harriet Alexander. "Why does Catalonia want independence from Spain?" The Telegraph. Last modified
October 22, 2014. Accessed December 13, 2014. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/
spain/11179914/Why-does-Catalonia-want-independence-from-Spain.html.

34 Joe Litobarski, ed. "Arguments for and against Catalonia independence." Debating Europe.

35 CNA. "63% to back independence if Catalonia does not have greater self-government within Spain."
Catalan News Agency. Last modified February 10, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015.
http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/
63-to-back-independence-if-catalonia-does-not-have-greater-self-government-within-spain?highlight=YTo
xOntpOjA7czoxMjoiaW5kZXBlbmRlbmNlIjt9.
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have control of their culture and economy. If Spain were to grant independence to Catalonia,

there would be repercussions affecting the Spanish economy. Instead of wasting time fighting to

keep Catalonia as a part of Spain and relying on Catalonias economy to keep the country afloat,

Spain could be working to fix their own debt and problems. Another possible solution to resolve

the conflict between Catalonia and Spain is to grant more autonomy to the Catalan region. The

Basque region of Spain has a unique tax system with fiscal autonomy from Madrid. 36 This

solution would fix part of the economic problem but not the cultural one. Catalonia would have

more control of their economy and not feel they are being forced to pay for poorer regions.

Although Catalonia would still be a part of Spain, they would feel more independent. A final

solution would be Spain granting a larger role to Catalonia in the Spanish government.

Presently, the Spanish government is controlled by the people in Madrid. Regions are a part of

Spain but do not feel like they have roles in the central government. If Catalonia accepted,

Madrid and Barcelona could be co-centers of the Spanish government. The Catalan side

would represent all the people in Spain that speak Catalan, and Madrid would represent the

Spanish speakers. This equality would unite Spain and allow the Catalans to have a say inside

the government.

Catalonia deserves to be seen as different from the rest of Spain. Catalonias different

culture and economy separate them from the other regions. The Catalan people are not

demanding to be independent; they are asking for the opportunity to democratically vote for

independence. The Spanish government is supposed to be a democracy. However, they will not

36 Lauren Frayer. While Spain Struggles, The Basque Region Shines. Audio file. NPR. October 25, 2012.
Accessed May 12, 2015. http://www.npr.org/2012/10/25/163629203/while-spain-struggles-the-basque-region-
shines
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allow the Catalan people to hold a vote ending this conflict. Other regions in Europe have also

recently tried to become independent. For example, in the past year, Scotland held a vote for

independence. The Scottish people ultimately voted to stay as a part of the United Kingdom, but

they had the opportunity to become independent. Catalonia is asking for that same opportunity.

Catalans are entitled to hold a vote for independence just like Scotland did. Instead of allowing

the vote to legally occur, the Spanish government threatens and scares the Catalans, making them

think it is better to stay as a part of Spain. Contrary to the Spanish governments claims, the

Spanish government does not have control over an independent Catalonia becoming part of the

EU. The Catalan culture suffered through Francisco Francos dictatorship, changing the culture

forever. The oppression made the culture stronger, and united the Catalan people. The Catalan

people truly believe that they are different than the rest of the Spanish population. They have a

different culture, different beliefs, different customs, and a different language. Overall, Catalonia

is different than Spain. The Catalonians deserve more independence, and more recognition for

their cultural differences.

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