Catalan Autonomy: Historical Documents (1888-1932)
Catalan Autonomy: Key Historical Documents (1888-1932)
Statute of Autonomy of 1932
Primary Source: Contemporary political text.
Publicly available text of the Statute of Autonomy.
This text presents six articles of the 1932 Statute of Autonomy.
1932 | Catalonia
During the Second Spanish Republic’s reformist biennium under Aznar, power in Catalonia rested with the government of President Macià. The Statute of Autonomy was approved by the Madrid government.
Catalan Politics. Citizens of Catalonia.
Article 1 defines Catalonia as an autonomous region within Spain, governed by its own government. Article 2 establishes Catalan and Spanish as official languages. Article 3 outlines individual rights of Catalan citizens as recognized by the Spanish Constitution. Article 7 grants the government power to build schools. Article 8 assigns public order responsibilities to the government. Article 11 attributes legislative and charitable powers to the government.
The 1932 Statute of Autonomy provided less autonomy than desired.
The Catalan Nationality
Primary source for contemporary events.
Text of a public political document from the book *The Catalan Nationality* by Prat de la Riba.
Prat de la Riba expresses his views on autonomy, drawing on concepts of nationhood and its relationship with the state.
1906 | Catalonia
Food Crisis and reign of Alfonso XIII.
The author is Prat de la Riba, leader of the League. The intended audience is the Spanish people.
Prat de la Riba presents his ideas on Catalan nationalism. He distinguishes between a nation (possessing its own language, laws, art, character, and thought) and a state (a political organization with independence, authority, manpower, and resources).
Prat de la Riba defends Catalan nationalism, even without legal recognition of Catalonia as a nation-state.
Spanish Constitution of 1931
Primary source for contemporary events.
Text of a public political document from the Spanish Constitution of 1931.
This text covers articles relating to sovereignty, separation of powers, individual freedoms and rights, and the territorial organization of the state.
1931 | Spain
Second Spanish Republic.
The author is the Congress; the intended audience is the Spanish people.
The Constitution establishes a republican regime based on freedom, with power originating from the people. Article 3 declares the state’s secular nature. Article 4 defines the state’s composition (municipalities grouped by province). Article 51 vests legislative power in Congress. Article 52 outlines the election of Congress members by universal suffrage. Article 90 addresses executive power (the Council of Ministers). Article 84 establishes an independent judiciary.
The 1931 Constitution was progressive. The constituent elections of June 31 had high participation, with a left-wing coalition winning an absolute majority (279 out of 464 deputies). Alcalá Zamora and the Provisional Government ministers were confirmed. The Constitution’s development included debates on secularism (confessionalitat) and women’s suffrage. The right opposed women’s suffrage, while the left supported it. Clara Campoamor (Radical Party) was a key advocate for women’s right to vote. The Constitution, approved in December, reflected the policy proposals of leftist parties, establishing a democratic system. Key features included: universal suffrage (including women over 23), a secular state respecting all faiths, broad individual rights, popular sovereignty, separation of powers (legislative, executive, judicial), and the allowance for autonomous governments.
Message to the Queen Regent (1888)
Primary Source
Search for political text; this is a snippet of the message.
This text expresses the Catalan League’s requests for Catalan autonomy, including various demands.
1888 | Catalonia (Spain)
During the Spanish Bourbon Restoration and the regency of Maria Cristina, the Catalan League (a conservative party formed from a split within the Catalan Centre) drafted this letter. The League’s members included Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch, and Prat de la Riba. The letter was presented to Maria Cristina during her visit to Barcelona for the opening of the Expo.
League of Catalonia (Conservative). Regent Maria Cristina.
Demands for Catalan autonomy included:
- A Catalan parliament and self-government (army matters to be decided separately).
- Restoration of the Catalan Courts to prepare budgets and contribute to the Spanish state.
- Teaching of Catalan in schools and its status as an official language.
- Establishment of Catalan courts and control over public appointments.
The message proposed a government of autonomy for Catalonia, reflecting the desires of the bourgeoisie.