Catalan Statute of 1932: Proclamation and Consequences
Proclamation of the Catalan State (1934)
Theme: Comparison Between the Statute and Dani Def.
The Statute of Núria assumed that sovereignty resided in the village of Catalonia, a Republican and federal entity with its own character. Thus, Catalonia, considered as an autonomous entity within the Spanish Republic, declared Catalan as the official language, accepted the possibility of a federation of Catalan-speaking countries, and established the powers of the Republic and the Generalitat of Catalonia. The definitive text of the Statute showed many differences compared to the initial proposal, although it retained basic institutions such as the Parliament and the Council or Government of the Generalitat.
Catalonia was constituted as an autonomous region within Spain, and both Catalan and Spanish were official languages. The powers of the Generalitat were trimmed to respect the claims of the Statute of Núria, and the majority were shared with the central government. The most important powers were in public policy and administration of justice, respecting and fully implementing Catalan civil law and the administrative regime. However, the court of appeal was not created.
Context: Political Tensions and General Strike
The entry of members of the CEDA (Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups) into the government was interpreted by left-wing and nationalist forces as opening a path toward fascism. A reaction was expected, and the day after the formation of the new government, a large general strike occurred in cities. These strikes were unsuccessful due to a clear lack of coordination and a forceful response by the government, which declared a state of war. However, the protest against the government acquired special importance in Asturias and Catalonia, where social revolutions occurred and where repression was very tough, resulting in over 1000 deaths, 2000 injured, and 3000 arrested.
October 1934: The General Strike and its Aftermath
In October 1934, a general strike was proposed as a result of the government’s actions. This strike was not going to work nationally, but in Asturias and Catalonia it took on a different hue. Catalonia‘s main architect was Lluís Companys and his government (ERC). There was no intervention from the CNT (National Confederation of Labor). The main protagonist was not the labor movement, as in Asturias.
When the news reached Lerroux, he mobilized the army as he did in Asturias, ordering the arrest of Companys and his government in Parliament. Lerroux called Batet, who commanded a company of soldiers. They went to Rambla de Catalunya and, upon arriving at Plaza Catalunya, began to receive orders. The company called for resistance and required a gun, firing into the area. The infantry troops were able to reach the palace and ask Companys to surrender, which he eventually did. It took 10 hours from the army attacking until Companys was arrested and the resistance was suppressed.
Reasons for Failure and Consequences
It failed because there was a lack of support from part of the CNT, who declined to participate, and because there was no mass movement, similar to that in Asturias.
Consequences: Companys and his government were arrested, convicted, and imprisoned. The Statute of Autonomy was suspended.
Balance
Hundreds of deaths occurred in Catalonia.