Generalitat de Catalunya

Catalonia’s 20th-century designs for autonomy, born of the debate over the territorial organisation of constitutional Spain, are based on contemporary social dynamism and respond to the needs of a modern democratic society. In contrast to its remote, unspecific, ambiguous historical experiences, Catalonia’s current autonomy scheme has followed a strict line of continuity.

Indeed, the clear assertion of the political personality of Catalonia is a common thread that can be traced throughout the 20th century, and which persevered despite the resistance of Spain’s centralist inertia, which was especially pronounced during two periods of democratic regression: the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera (1923-1930) and the dictatorship of General Franco (1939-1975). There are clear links between the first electoral victories of political Catalan nationalism (1901-1907), which highlighted the inadequacy of the state framework, and Catalonia’s first opportunity for self-government (the Commonwealth of 1914-1925); between this experience and the establishment of the autonomous Government of Catalonia during the Second Spanish Republic (1931-1939); and between the republican Government of Catalonia and its present incarnation, which is in fact an explicit restoration, made possible by the legal survival of a Government in exile during Franco’s internal control.

• Beginnings of the autonomous regime, 1918-1932
• The republican Government of Catalonia, 1931-1939
• The Government of Catalonia in exile, 1939-1977
• The restoration of the Government of Catalonia, 1977-1980