Catalonia Independence Referendum Explained

Summary

This video discusses Catalonia, an autonomous community of Spain, known for its distinct culture, language, and economy. It delves into Catalonia's history, including its dynastic unions with Spain, the suppression of Catalan culture under Franco's dictatorship, and the rise of Catalan nationalism. The video explores the 2017 independence referendum, Spain's forceful response, and the challenges Catalonia would face as an independent country, such as international recognition. It concludes by reflecting on the uncertain future of Catalonia's independence movement and its complex relationship with Spain.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Catalonia is one of Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities, recognized as a 'nationality', with its capital in Barcelona.
• 💼 Catalonia has its own devolved government, police force, national anthem, language, and distinct culture.
• 💶 Economically, Catalonia is crucial for Spain, contributing around €10 billion more in taxes annually than it receives in return.
• 📜 Catalonia's independence movement is driven by its cultural pride and nationalism, viewing itself as distinct from the rest of Spain.
• ⚖️ Spain's courts declared Catalonia's independence referendum illegal, and police prevented many from voting in 2017.
• 🗳️ In the controversial 2017 referendum, 90% voted for independence, but turnout was low, with many boycotting the vote.
• 🌍 The international community largely views Catalonia's independence as an internal issue for Spain, with no significant recognition of Catalonia as an independent nation.
• 🏛️ Catalonia's history with Spain dates back to medieval dynastic unions, and its autonomy was lost in 1716 after supporting the wrong side in a succession crisis.
• ⚔️ Catalonia has faced cultural suppression, especially during the Franco dictatorship, which fueled its modern independence movement.
• 🔮 While Catalonia strives for independence, the future remains uncertain, with Madrid currently having the upper hand, but Catalan nationalism remains strong.

Q & A

What is Catalonia and where is it located?

Catalonia is one of the 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain, located in the northeastern part of the country. Its capital city is Barcelona.

Why does Catalonia want independence from Spain?

Catalonia wants independence due to a combination of economic, cultural, and historical factors. Catalans take pride in their distinct language, culture, and heritage, and many feel that Catalonia is different from the rest of Spain. Additionally, they feel economically disadvantaged, paying more in taxes than they receive in spending.

What was the outcome of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum?

In the 2017 referendum, 90% of those who voted were in favor of independence, but the turnout was low at 43%. The vote was deemed illegal by Spain, and Spanish police forcibly prevented many from voting.

How did Catalonia become part of Spain historically?

Catalonia became part of Spain through two dynastic unions. The first occurred in 1162 between the Count of Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon. The second in 1469 united the Crown of Aragon with the Crown of Castile, effectively creating modern Spain.

What was the reaction of the international community to the 2017 referendum?

The international community, while condemning the violence used by Spanish police, generally regarded the referendum as an internal issue for Spain. The European Commission stated that the vote was not legal and called for unity and stability.

What are the economic reasons behind Catalonia’s push for independence?

Catalonia is one of the wealthiest parts of Spain, contributing around €10 billion more in taxes than it receives in government spending. This economic imbalance has fueled the desire for independence.

How did Spain respond to Catalonia’s 2017 independence declaration?

After the Catalan parliament declared independence on October 27, 2017, the Spanish government invoked Article 155 of the Constitution, dissolving Catalonia's devolved government and taking direct control of the region.

Why is international recognition crucial for Catalonia as an independent nation?

Without international recognition, Catalonia would struggle to join global institutions such as the EU or UN. It would face economic and diplomatic isolation, which could jeopardize its future as an independent nation.

What cultural aspects make Catalonia unique within Spain?

Catalonia has its own language, Catalan, a distinct culture, and its own national anthem. There has been a strong sense of nationalism, and a 'cultural renaissance' took place in the 19th century, reviving Catalan art and literature.

What were the long-term effects of Franco’s dictatorship on Catalonia?

During Francisco Franco's dictatorship, Catalan culture and language were suppressed, and many Catalans were executed, including the Catalan President at the time. This period left deep scars and fueled later nationalist movements.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Catalonia's Identity and Importance

Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain, with a rich cultural identity and its own language, government, and national symbols. The region plays a vital role in Spain's economy and tourism. Despite its value, Catalonia has been a center of political unrest, with many of its citizens calling for independence. The Catalan independence movement is fueled by both financial and cultural factors, with many Catalans feeling a deep sense of nationalism and pride in their distinct heritage.

05:02

⚖️ Catalonia's History with Spain and the Path to Independence

Catalonia's historical journey is marked by a series of unions with Spain, beginning in the 12th century with the Kingdom of Aragon and later in 1469 with the Kingdom of Castile. Throughout history, Catalonia has experienced periods of revolt, suppression, and economic resurgence. The region lost its autonomy in the 18th century but regained some independence with Spain's democratic transition in 1975. Catalan nationalism surged again in the 21st century, culminating in referendums and growing tensions with the Spanish government.

10:06

🗳️ 2017 Independence Referendum and Political Crisis

In 2017, Catalonia held a referendum on independence, which was declared illegal by Spain. Despite this, the vote took place, and 90% of voters supported independence, although the turnout was low. The international community largely viewed the issue as an internal Spanish matter. Spain took drastic measures, including dissolving the Catalan government and issuing arrests. The situation escalated, with Catalan leaders fleeing and protests erupting. Tensions remain high as Spain's government works to maintain control.

🏛️ The Future of an Independent Catalonia

If Catalonia were to achieve independence, it would face numerous challenges, including international recognition, economic stability, and governance. With a population of 7.5 million and a strong economy, Catalonia could stand as a significant European nation. However, without Spain's approval, international recognition seems unlikely. Important questions about military, currency, and EU membership remain unanswered. While Catalan nationalism is strong, the road to becoming a fully independent state is uncertain and fraught with difficulties.

🤔 What's Next for Catalonia?

The independence declaration has left Catalonia in a precarious position. Without international support and with Spain reasserting control, the future looks uncertain. Catalan nationalism is likely to persist, but Spain currently holds the upper hand. The two sides may reach a compromise, but the road to independence, if ever achieved, will be long and challenging. The situation remains fluid, and the hope is for a peaceful resolution.

Keywords

💡Catalonia

Catalonia is one of Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities and is also recognized as a 'nationality.' It has its own distinct culture, language, and government, with Barcelona as its capital. Catalonia's independence movement is central to the video’s theme, reflecting its desire to separate from Spain due to cultural pride and economic reasons.

💡Autonomous Communities

Spain is divided into 17 Autonomous Communities, including Catalonia. These regions have varying degrees of self-governance, with devolved powers over certain matters such as education and health. The video emphasizes Catalonia’s wish for greater autonomy, leading to conflicts with Spain’s central government.

💡Referendum

A referendum is a public vote on a specific issue. In Catalonia’s case, a referendum on independence was held on October 1, 2017, despite being declared illegal by Spain. The result was overwhelmingly in favor of independence, but the process led to political turmoil and clashes with Spanish authorities.

💡Independence

Independence refers to the desire of Catalonia to become a separate nation, free from Spain’s control. Catalonia’s cultural pride and economic contribution to Spain fuel this movement. However, Spain has consistently blocked Catalonia’s attempts to achieve independence, leading to political tensions.

💡Spanish Constitution

The Spanish Constitution establishes the legal framework for Spain’s government, including the illegality of secession without national consent. The Constitutional Court ruled Catalonia’s referendum illegal, as it violated Spain’s Constitution, which became a major point of conflict in the independence debate.

💡Nationalism

Nationalism is the belief in the distinct identity and right to self-determination of a people. In Catalonia, there is a strong sense of nationalism rooted in its unique culture, language, and history. Many Catalans view themselves as distinct from the rest of Spain, which is a driving force behind the independence movement.

💡Economic Contribution

Catalonia is one of Spain’s wealthiest regions, contributing around 20% of its economy and a quarter of its exports. The video explains that Catalonia pays more in taxes than it receives in public spending, which is a key grievance for pro-independence Catalans, who feel economically exploited.

💡Devolved Government

Catalonia has a devolved government with powers over areas such as education and healthcare. However, it seeks further autonomy or complete independence. The video details how this government was dissolved by Spain after the independence declaration, reflecting the tension between regional and national governance.

💡Article 155

Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution allows the national government to take direct control of an Autonomous Community if it violates the Constitution. After Catalonia declared independence in October 2017, Spain invoked Article 155 to dissolve its government and impose direct rule from Madrid.

💡International Recognition

International recognition is the process by which other countries acknowledge the sovereignty of a new nation. The video notes that without Spain’s consent, Catalonia would struggle to gain recognition from the international community, making it difficult to join organizations like the EU or the UN.

Highlights

Catalonia is one of the 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain and is also recognized as a 'nationality'.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is one of the most visited cities in Europe, surpassing the nation's capital, Madrid.

Catalonia has its own devolved government, police force, national anthem, language, and a distinct culture.

Catalonia contributes significantly to Spain's economy, making up 20% of the country's economy and a quarter of its exports.

A major source of tension is that Catalonia pays around €10 billion more in taxes each year than it receives in spending.

Catalonia has a long history of wanting independence due to its unique culture, language, and pride in its heritage.

Catalonia lost its autonomy in 1716 following the Nueva Planta decree, after supporting a rival monarch during a Spanish succession crisis.

In 2006, a new Statute of Autonomy was passed, granting more devolved powers to Catalonia, but it was later challenged in court.

The Spanish Constitutional Court ruling in 2010 declaring parts of the Statute unconstitutional ignited massive street protests in Barcelona.

In 2017, Catalonia held a referendum on independence, which was declared illegal by Spain and faced strong opposition from the Spanish government.

Spanish police intervened in the 2017 referendum, preventing thousands from voting and resulting in over 800 injuries.

Despite low turnout and boycotts by opponents, 90% of voters supported Catalonia becoming an independent republic.

Following the referendum, Spain invoked Article 155 of the Constitution to take direct control of Catalonia, dissolving its government.

International reaction to the Catalan referendum was largely against recognizing its legitimacy, with the European Commission backing Spain.

There are numerous unanswered questions about Catalonia's future as an independent nation, including issues of currency, border control, and international recognition.

Catalonia's bid for independence is at a standstill, with Spain maintaining control, and the international community siding with Spain.

Transcripts

This is Catalonia.

Catalonia is one of the 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain, and also recognised as a “nationality”.

Its capital city is Barcelona, one of the most visited cities in Europe, ahead of the

nation's capital, Madrid.

Catalonia is an important part of Spain for its strong economy, tourism, and even sport.

Catalonia has their own devolved government, police force, national anthem, language, and

their own distinct culture.

Catalonia has been in the news recently in what many are describing as Spain’s worst

political crisis in decades.

Many of Catalonia’s citizens have been calling for independence for several years, and on

the 1st of October 2017, a referendum was held.

However, Spain did not allow the autonomous community to have a referendum, and it is

in fact against the Spanish Constitution.

So why does Catalonia want independence?

Why don’t they want to be part of Spain?

Well… like I said, Catalonia is very valuable to Spain due to its economy and the tourism

it brings to the country.

Catalonia is one of the richest parts of Spain, and pays around €10 billion more in taxes

per year than it receives in money spent in the region.

But there’s more to it than that.

It isn’t for purely financial reasons.

Catalans take great pride in their culture, their language, and their heritage.

There is a strong sense of nationalism among many Catalans, and they view themselves as

distinct from the rest of Spain.

Of course, Spain does not want to lose such a vital part of its country.

Catalonia makes up about 20% of Spain’s economy, and about a quarter the country’s

exports.

All attempts at achieving independence have been stuck down by Madrid.

Spain does not want to encourage separatist movements, as it could literally break up

the entire country.

So how did Catalonia become part of Spain, and why are they now calling for their independence.

Catalonia became part of Spain through two separate dynastic unions that happened during

the middle ages.

The first one, in 1162, was between the Count of Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon.

The Count of Barcelona was the ruler of various counties known as the Marca Hispanica, created

back in 795 as a buffer zone between Francia and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, at

the time mostly controlled by the Arab Caliphate.

The first dynastic union created the Crown of Aragon, and France later relinquished all

feudal authority over the counties of the Marca Hispanica.

The next dynastic union in 1469, effectively created the Spain that we know today, between

the Crown of Aragon and the Crown of Castile, with the marriage of Ferdinand II and Isabella

I.

The counties surrounding Barcelona became known as “Catalonia” some time around

the 12th century, and its first constitution was drafted in 1283.

During the Franco-Spanish war in the 17th century, many Catalans revolted against Spain,

and even briefly declared themselves a republic under French protection, but France denounced

Catalonia.

The principality was divided between the two countries when they signed a peace treaty.

At the start of the 18th century, Spain had a succession crisis, which led to a war between

the various claimants.

The throne was taken by Philip V of the Bourbon House, although Catalonia had backed the Archduke

Charles of the Habsburg house.

In response to supporting another monarch, Catalonia lost its autonomy in 1716, with

the Nueva Planta decree, which put it under direct control of Madrid.

Catalonia had always been economically valuable to Spain throughout its history, and this

became especially true in the early 19th century with the industrial revolution.

The economic growth led to a so-called “cultural renaissance” of Catalan art, literature

and language.

However, during the 20th century, Catalan institutions were abolished and Catalan culture

and language were suppressed by two dictators that ruled Spain.

The dictatorship of Francisco Franco was an especially difficult time for Catalonia.

Thousands of people were executed, one of whom was the President of Catalonia at the

time, Lluís Companys.

Spain transitioned to democracy with the death of Franco in 1975.

The country’s new constitution of 1978 created the Autonomous Communities that we have today.

In 2006, a new Statute of Autonomy was passed by referendum in Catalonia, which would give

more devolved powers to the region.

However, the Statute was challenged and taken to the Spanish Constitutional Court.

This caused outrage for many, and fueled Catalan nationalism.

This was further exacerbated when, in 2010, the Court ruled several of the Statute’s

articles to be unconstitutional.

This led to massive street protests in the region’s capital city, Barcelona.

Between 2009 and 2011, local, informal, non-binding referendums took place throughout the various

municipalities of Catalonia.

The results were overwhelmingly in favour of independence, but also had very low turnouts,

averaging less than 30% of eligible voters.

In 2014, a so-called “Citizen Participation Process on the Political Future of Catalonia”

took place after a planned referendum had been suspended by the Spanish Courts.

The re-branded vote was also blocked, but went ahead anyway, with a reported 80% of

the 2.3 million voters in favour of independence.

2017

So this brings us to 2017.

The year in which Catalonia had pledged to hold a legally binding referendum on independence.

The Constitutional Court of Spain declared the referendum illegal, however the Catalan

government stated their intention to go ahead with the vote regardless.

On the 20th of September, the Catalan Parliament was raided by Spanish police, and 14 government

officials were arrested for their involvement in the separatist movement.

So on the 1st of October, the referendum went ahead as planned, despite being ruled illegal

by the Court.

Spanish police were deployed to Catalonia and forcibly prevented thousands of people

from voting, with over 800 being injured in the process.

Despite the police presence, 90% of people voted yes in favour of Catalonia becoming

an independent republic.

The reported turnout was 43%, with 2.2 million votes, with claims that 770,000 people were

prevented from voting.

Of course, there’s no way to know if these numbers are reliable.

And even if they are, turnout was very low, with most of those opposed to independence

boycotting the vote.

The general reaction of the international community was almost universal.

Although condemning the violence used by the Spanish police, the general view has been

that the issue is an internal Spanish problem.

The European Commission said the vote “was not legal” and believes that “these are

times for unity and stability, not divisiveness and fragmentation”.

In the days following the referendum, several major companies, including Catalonia’s largest

bank, announced their intention to move their headquarters away for Barcelona due to the

political instability in the region.

During the first week after the vote, many people took to the streets to protest.

This included those opposed to independence and supportive of the Spanish government.

The following Monday, Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, spoke at the Catalan parliament

for the first time since the vote.

He was expected to make the official declaration of independence, but was extremely ambiguous

with his actions, signing a declaration and then immediately suspending its effects, calling

for dialogue with the Spanish Government.

The next day, the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, issued an ultimatum.

If Catalonia does not drop their independence movement within 8 days, Spain will suspend

their autonomy, by invoking article 155 of the Spanish constitution.

The deadline came and went, with no sign of backing down by the Catalan government, and

on the 27th of October, the Catalan parliament passed a resolution to officially declare

their independence from Spain.

Members of the opposition refused to take part in the vote, walking out of the parliament

in protest.

Just an hour later, the Spanish senate passed a resolution to invoke article 155 and take

direct control of Catalonia, dissolving its devolved government.

Spanish-led elections will take place in Catalonia on the 21st of December.

A lot has happened since the declaration.

The Catalan president fled the country to Brussels, the Spanish attorney general filed

charges of rebellion, sedition, and misuse of public funds against Puigdemont, issuing

a warrant for his arrest.

The deposed president handed himself in to Belgian authorities, but was released with

conditions by the judge.

Back in Catalonia, the political parties agreed to take part in the snap election, and 8 Catalan

ministers have been arrested for their involvement in the independence movement.

Protesters have been calling for the release of the so-called “political prisoners”

Catalonia has yet to receive any international recognition whatsoever, with almost universal

support for Spain.

Catalonia as an independent country

So… could Catalonia actually function as an independent country?

And what would such country look like.

Well, with a population of about 7.5 million, it would be the 21st most populous country

in Europe, just ahead of Bulgaria.

It would have an economy similar in size to that of Portugal, in terms of nominal GDP.

Their capital city would be Barcelona, their flag would be the so-called L'Estelada Blava,

and their official language would be Catalan.

There’s a lot that we do know, but there is also so much they we do NOT know.

For example: Would Catalonia have their own military?

Would they join NATO?

Which currency would they use, could they continue using the Euro?

Would they impose any kind of border control?

What would their visa policies be?

Would they seek EU membership?

Etc.

etc.

There are so many unanswered questions.

As an independent nation, Catalonia could face a wide variety of difficulties.

The most prominent issue would likely be international recognition.

The international community will not recognise an independent Catalonia, unless it was approved

by Spain, and that is something that is not going to happen any time in the foreseeable

future.

So without international recognition, the newly declared republic will be unable to

join the EU, the UN, or any other international organisation.

All of these questions and more are going to need to be addressed, and it’s impossible

to know whether or not Catalonia would be able to maintain its strong economy as an

independent nation.

Now, whether or not Catalonia should be recognised as an independent country, is a difficult

one, and arguments can be made for both sides.

On the one hand, one of the fundamental principles of the UN charter states that people have

a right to self-determination and democracy… but on the other hand, the referendum was

deemed illegal by the Spanish courts, and Catalonia went ahead with it anyway, knowing

full-well that it was against the constitution.

Now, what’s legal and what’s fair aren’t necessarily the same thing, and whether it’s

fair or not, is a matter of opinion.

So what happens next?

Well… with Catalonia’s president not actually in the newly declared country, and with little

resistance to Madrid’s takeover…

things are looking bleak for Catalonia.

Of course, Catalan nationalism is not going anywhere, and the independence movement will

continue on for the foreseeable future... but for the time being at least, Spain certainly

has the upper-hand.

The two parties may be able to reach some kind of compromise, in the form of more devolved

powers to Catalonia, but it might be too little, too late for that.

The future for Catalonia will be a difficult one, regardless of what happens next.

The road to becoming a fully independent country is not going to be an easy one, and may never

happen.

An independence declaration is just the beginning.

If, one day, Catalonia does manage to gain international recognition, it could be the

end of the country of Spain as we know it.

Only time will tell how things play out, and hopefully the situation can be resolved peacefully.

Thanks for watching