In the article we will talk about the history of Catalonia. We will examine in detail all the main stages in the development of the historical region, as well as plunge into the atmosphere of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Everything you can find out about Catalonia can be found in the article below.
Territory
To begin with, Catalonia is an autonomous community or historical region located in the north-east of Spain. The countdown begins in prehistoric times. The main events took place on the territory of Spain, although with regard to historical borders, they are rather French. The main historical stages, which we will consider below:
- prehistoric period;
- antiquity;
- Middle Ages;
- New time;
- The latest time;
- modernity.
Prehistoric period
Scientists say that material evidence was found that people lived in Catalonia since the Middle Paleolithic. Here were found the bones of Neanderthals, which date back 200 thousand years. The main finds were made near Banyolas. The beginning of the Bronze Age here marked the arrival of immigrants from Indochina. The Iron Age began in the 7th century BC. e.
Antiquity
In the period of II millennium BC. e. - V century on this territory lived the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks and Iberians. The Iberian Peninsula was inhabited by immigrants from North Africa who came from eastern Georgia or Iberia. These first settlers settled near modern Barcelona and Mataro. Many ancient authors wrote a lot about Iberians. Mentioned in the writings of Herodotus and Strabo. However, at the time of these written references, the peoples lived in the territories for several centuries.
The area was later settled by the Phoenicians. A few centuries later, the first Greek colonies began to appear, formed by immigrants from Ionia. The most famous are Emporion and Rodis. The Greeks had a huge impact on the development of Catalonia. Thanks to them, crafts appeared here, trade revived, internal communication came, and agriculture was established. Researchers regularly find new artifacts from this period. Most often, these are ceramic products, amphoras, mosaics and silver coins. The era of Greek power changed when the Carthaginians arrived.
III century BC e. started by the fact that Rome decided to conquer the Iberian Peninsula. Because of this, a military border appeared between the Carthage and Rome on the Ebro River. A little later in Catalonia the first Roman colonies were founded - Far and Close Spain. In 27 BC e., when Rome from the republic turned into an empire, there were serious reformist changes that could not but affect the colonies. The modern territory of Catalonia became part of Tarracon Spain.
Then followed the decline of the Roman Empire, which, of course, had the same effect on Catalonia. Enemy tribes, such as the Huns and Visigoths, immediately noticed the weakened colony and decided to appropriate it. Because of this, a period of active enemy raids began. As you know, in 410 Rome fell, and Barsino (modern Barcelona) began to belong to Germanic tribes.
Despite such events, the colony was under the control of the Romans for almost 6 centuries. Any influence of Rome on Catalonia ceased only when Romulus Augustus abdicated. At the same time, there was a romanization that left a noticeable mark in the culture, life and even the language of the Catalans. Thanks to the Romans, the lands of the Iberian Peninsula were mastered. Here began the cultivation of olives and cereals, viticulture. In general, agriculture has made significant progress. In addition, the first figurines appeared, such as irrigation systems and aqueducts. We must not forget about Latinization, which also contributed to the formation of the language. That is why modern Spanish is very diverse.
During Roman rule, the largest cities were founded, which retained their significance even to our time! These are Barcelona (Barsino), Girona (Gerund), Tarragona (Taraco), etc. The Romans were actively involved in the construction of roads and bridges, so at that time there were especially many of them. A tax system, legal norms, and existing management institutions were introduced. All this served to make the population of Catalonia itself more educated and intelligent. It learned a lot from just and talented Romans. All cities had fortifications with ramparts and fortresses. Thanks to this, Catalonia for a long time could withstand the attacks of Germanic tribes. As for the impact on culture, it was most clearly manifested in the imposition of Christianity.
Middle Ages
The history of the emergence of Catalonia, which we briefly examined above, was straightforward, but who knew that great events would take place here later? Note that the Catalan Middle Ages - this is the period of the V-XV centuries. The power of the Visigoths continues. Aquitaine, Narbonne and Tarracon Spain were conquered. During the Dark Ages, the Visigoths were tough and observant rulers who did not give an extra chance to throw off the collar of power. This period was characterized by frequent wars with external opponents. Everywhere people died from the plague. However, this could not last forever, and decentralization took its toll. In 672, Duke Paul rebelled against power and declared himself the only king in Narbonne. Septimania and Roman Spain, that is, Catalonia , stood on his side. However, the King of the Visigoths Wamba, already in 673, regained power and territory.
In the 7th century, the Damian Caliphate became very interested in the Iberian Peninsula. In the summer of 711, a serious battle took place at the Guadalet between the Visigoths, who professed Christianity, and Arabs, who were ardent Muslims. This served as an invasion of Muslims into foreign territories. They managed to capture Toledo - the capital. By 720, Catalonia was completely ruled by Arab-Berbers. Their invasion served to launch the Reconquista. This is the struggle of the Iberian Peninsula for the liberation of Arabs from power. Catalonia managed to get out of the control of Muslims by the 8th century, despite the fact that most of Spain was subordinated to them by the end of the 15th century.
Independence
In Poitlier in 732, the Arabs halted after being defeated by Karl Martel, king of the Franks. The Carolingians quickly ousted the Arabs and became rulers of Catalonia themselves. The new rulers divided the territory into counties, each of which was independent (Cerdan, Osona, Urhel, Girona, Besalu. All territories were called the Spanish mark. This part was managed by Burel Uzonsky.
In 801, Barcelona County was formed after Barcelona was captured by Guillaume Zhelonsky. It lasted until 1154. The first count was Bury, who also added to the territory of Bazal, Kunflen and Girona. The count also established a centralized policy.
In the 11th century, the Carolingians continued to unite the Catalan counties. King Karl Lysy appointed his son, Count of Barcelona, Count of Urhel and Cerdani, thus creating a unified management system for the entire territory of modern Catalonia. In 878, Count Wilfred became ruler of Girona as well. However, when he dies in 897, the time of fragmentation again sets in.
Exemption from Carolingian power
The history of Catalonia from ancient times is a constant struggle with those who want to get a new colony. Since 897, new attacks began, in which the Carolingians did not help the Catalans. This was due to the fact that Borrel II did not swear allegiance to Hugo Capet. The history of Catalonia, according to the official version, begins precisely from 988, when she managed to get rid of the Frankish yoke. Independence favorably affected the general condition of the territory. Many industries began to intensify, the economy flourished. Significant population growth was also noted. Allods later appeared - small farms that could produce more than they consume. Thanks to this, things were getting better in trade. Against this background, feudal service ceased. However, already in the XI century the situation changed radically. The new feudal society dictated its own rules, and the former peasants had to become vassals of aristocrats. It was a difficult time when the class war flourished. Military power and professional mercenaries were repeatedly directed against the peasants. All this led to the fact that at the end of the century, almost all allods became vassals.
Against this background, the Spanish brand was gradually disintegrating, centralized management was coming to naught. All this led to the fact that small counties became small feudal states with a special and very complicated system of submission. Thanks to Ramon Berenguer, Count of Barcelona, the counts began to represent the highest authority. The period of the reign of this ruler was for Catalonia a heyday. The count expanded his possessions and subjugated the Aragonese Barbastro. As for politics among Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula, Ramon imposed heavy taxes on them. He first conquered Razes and Carcassonne, and also selected the territory of modern Northern Catalonia.
In 1058, thanks to the efforts of the ruler, a code of customs appeared under the name Usatici and Law. Think what can surprise the history of Catalonia? The independence movement here has borne fruit very quickly. The already named code was the first feudal law in Europe to control feudalization. Even before this, the count was able to decisively stop the internecine wars between the feudal lords - he used the "Peace of God" system.
The descendants of Ramon Berenguer were worthy. Their policy was also based on the strengthening of power and the development of Catalonia. In the XII century for the first time in official documents the word "Catalonia" was used. This time is characterized by the fact that the power of individual counts was inconceivably strengthened, and the territory itself expanded very quickly. The territories of Besalu, Ampurias, Cerdanyam and even Provence were annexed. In 1118, the Catalan church separated from the Diocese of Narbonne and became an independent unit centered in Tarragona.
Kingdom of aragon
Catalonia, the history of which we are considering, has changed its vector of development very quickly over the centuries. The same thing happened during the reign of Ramon Berenguer IV in the period 1131-1162. The man married Petronil of Aragon and became the founder of the Kingdom of Aragon. He became king, and since it was considered more prestigious, all his descendants called themselves the kings of Aragon, but the clan of counts quickly ceased. Despite this, the rights of Catalonia and Aragon were retained. In the historical region of Spain we are studying, Corts Catalanas, one of the first and simplest European parliaments, still operated.
During the reign of Ramon, Lerida and Tortos were conquered. By this time, Catalonia is beginning to take on its modern look. By the XII century, the southern lands of the Spanish brand were fully developed. They are called New Catalonia. Sicily became part of the kingdom of Aragon.
New time
The detailed history of Catalonia, which we are considering, sharply changed its course after the conclusion of the barque between Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469. The feudal dependence of the peasants was abolished, and in 1516 the Kingdom of Spain appeared . Catalonia fell into decay after the discovery of America. Active pirate attacks began.
In the years 1640-1652, "Reaper Wars" took place between Catalonia and the monarchs. Because of this, the Thirty Years War began, when the peasants had to feed and drink the Spanish soldiers. On June 7, 1640, the struggle for independence began, which ended with the proclamation of a republic led by Pau Clarice. All this, naturally, happened under the protectorate of France. However, it lasted a little over a year.
The history of Catalonia in 1714 became more bloody. Finally ended the war for the Spanish inheritance, which lasted from 1705. Because of this, Catalonia lost many of its privileges. For a long time after that, the language was banned. The economy developed poorly, but agriculture flourished. In general, for more than two centuries, the Catalans paid for this war. In 1778, trade with America began, the first entrepreneurs appeared.
Latest time
What was next in Catalonia? The history of the conflict that follows is known to many. In 1808, the territory was occupied by General Duham. The army fell, but the people still resisted. In 1814, the history of Catalonia and Barcelona was divided, as the territory was annexed and divided into 2 departments. Barcelona was left to Catalonia only after the signing of the armistice, which left the French with the right to influence politics and the economy. The confrontation between the liberals and the Karlites led to the Carlist wars, which lasted until 1840. Liberals won. How did the history of Catalonia go on? Federated Spain was the goal of the Catalans, which they did not achieve. In 1868, the crisis in the economy began, the September Revolution took place and the Six Revolutionary Years began. During this time, a federalist uprising, the Carlist War, took place. The First Spanish Republic was later created.
The 19th century was characterized by industrialization. Catalonia, whose history of independence began long ago, has finally become the center of Spain. Culture and language revived. However, in 1871 there was again an attempt to break out of Spain’s shoulder, which did not end in success, but the government was able to agree with the Catalans that their territory should remain part of Spain. Despite this, in 1874 there was a rebellion of Martinez. Repression against workers began.
Modernity
Spain and Catalonia, whose long history of conflict has finally come to an agreement, although the Catalans' desire to be independent was present. Since 1979, the Government of the Generalitat has been operating. The head of autonomy is the president, who is guided by the principles of self-government from the "Regulation on Autonomy". The real government is positioning itself as a successor to the Cortes.
The history of Catalonia, briefly examined by us, is a whirlwind of various events that either gave hope for independence, or made the Catalans forget about it forever. Be that as it may, this part of Spain is a wonderful corner of the world, into which every year a sea of tourists strives.