A People's History of Catalonia

The Spanish police assault on Catalans voting in a peaceful referendum in 2017 brought Catalonia's struggle for independence to the world's attention, and two million-plus voters have not forgiven or forgotten. Catalonia's national consciousness has deep roots, and its struggles for freedom have been violently resisted and its language and rights suppressed. Since the nineteenth century, the fight for national sovereignty has often intertwined with working-class mobilization for social justice. Barcelona became known as the Rose of Fire in 1936, with one of history's most profound workers revolutions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2022
Publisher: Pluto Press

Catalonia's struggle for independence has been a long and complex one, with deep roots in its national consciousness and a history of violent resistance and suppression of its language and rights. From the peasant revolts of the 15th century and the siege of Barcelona in 1714 to the explosive workers movement led by anarchists in 1936, Catalonia has been a hotbed of social and political unrest. The author's book, "A People's History of Catalonia," tells this small country's history from below, in all its richness and complexity.

Catalonia's struggles for freedom have often been intertwined with working-class mobilization for social justice. Barcelona, known as the "Rose of Fire," saw one of history's most profound workers revolutions in 1936, with anarchists leading the way. The author's book explores the various stages of Catalonia's struggle, from the peasant revolts of the 15th century to the Spanish Civil War and the anti-Franco resistance in the grim years that followed.

Despite the challenges and setbacks, Catalonia's struggle for independence continues to this day. The two million-plus voters who participated in the peaceful referendum in 2017 have not forgiven nor forgotten, and the fight for Catalan sovereignty remains a central issue in Spanish politics. Catalonia's language and rights continue to be suppressed, and the author argues that the fight for national sovereignty has often been intertwined with working-class mobilization for social justice.

In conclusion, Catalonia's struggle for independence is a complex and ongoing one that has deep roots in its national consciousness and a history of violent resistance and suppression. From the peasant revolts of the 15th century to the Spanish Civil War and the anti-Franco resistance, Catalonia has been a hotbed of social and political unrest. The author's book, "A People's History of Catalonia," provides a compelling and comprehensive account of this small country's history, from below, in all its richness and complexity.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780745342122