Catalan Political History: From League to Autonomy
The Catalan League and Regional Hegemony
The league had been strengthened as the regional hegemonic party in Catalanism. In 1907, all political forces except Lerrouxist Catalonia and the dynastic parties joined in an electoral coalition called Catalan Solidarity. With a program that claimed Catalan self-government, this coalition won the elections, and the league leader, Enric Prat de la Riba, became president of the Barcelona Provincial Council.
The Tragic Week
In 1909, there was a profound deterioration of political life because of the popular uprising in Barcelona known as the Tragic Week. The spark that started the conflict was the opposition to the recruitment of soldiers for the war in Morocco.
The Mancomunitat of Catalonia
Since 1910, the reformism of liberal governments led to the initiation of a process of decentralization of the state. In 1914, a government institution was created that encompassed the four Catalan provinces and was presided over by Prat de la Riba. The Commonwealth was the first Catalan agency, although only after 1714 did it have the same budget and powers as the provincial table above. Its performance was directed towards the creation of new infrastructure.
The Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
In 1923, Captain General Miguel Primo de Rivera, with the consent of Alfonso XIII and the support of conservative organizations and political groups, staged a coup that led to a military dictatorship inspired by Italian Fascism. The coup was justified on the grounds that the Spanish parliamentary system and constitution were discredited and unable to ensure order and restrain the social revolution. The new regime instituted a military dictatorship, suspended the constitution, and dissolved parliament. It also abolished the Commonwealth of Catalonia and all public expressions of Catalan nationalism. Great repression was exerted against intellectuals. The military dictatorship was able to maintain power thanks to a good economic situation caused by a favorable international economic situation and by the end of the Moroccan conflict.
Proclamation of the Republic
The municipal elections were announced on April 12, 1931, and were presented as a plebiscite between monarchy and republic. The opposition to the monarchic regime formed a coalition to present itself united in the election, while the monarchist parties were divided. The election results gave a similar number of councilors to the Republican coalition parties and monarchists.
The Provisional Government
- Amnesty: for political prisoners and freedom of political parties and trade unions.
- Social laws: to improve the situation of laborers: working eight-hour law and juries.
- Establishment of a provisional Generalitat of Catalonia’s autonomy as a step.
Constitution of 1931
The Constitution recognized universal suffrage and proclaimed the state’s aconfessionality, but respected all faiths and beliefs. A wide declaration of individual rights and freedoms established extensive public and private rights. Recognition of the rights to private property but empowering the government to expropriate goods considered a public utility. The legislative authority resides in the courts, the executive power in the cabinet, and the president of the republic ensures the independence of the judiciary. Niceto Alcalá-Zamora was elected president of the republic, and Manuel Azaña took the Government.
The Provisional Generalitat
After the election victory, Francesc Macià, main leader of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, proclaimed the Catalan Republic within the Iberian federation and unilaterally assumed the sovereignty of Catalonia.
The Autonomous Status in 1932
The status in 1932, although presenting many differences with the status of Catalonia, recognized it as an autonomous region within the Spanish state. The basic institutions were Catalonia’s autonomous parliament and the executive board.