Demonstration in Perpignan in defense of Northern Catalonia
This Saturday, November 5th, most Catalans in Perpignan demonstrated to protest the Pyrenees agreement. Signed
In 1639, France entered the Thirty Years’ War against an unexpectedly weakened Spain. As promised, Catalonia, a geographically strategic area at the time, refused to provide its resources to Spain, creating an unprecedented crisis situation.
1638. Spain’s influence in Europe and the world is at its lowest level. King Philip IV faces the greatest difficulty in meeting the economic needs of the empire. The defense of the interior of the Spanish peninsula is at its worst. The Royal House has just asked the country’s regions to defend their borders, which Catalonia has refused, creating strong tensions with Madrid.
1640. Catalans rise up against the Spanish sovereign, Philip IV, who raises agricultural taxes to finance the war against France. The situation worsened and led to the Reapers’ War, which would last for 19 years. At the beginning of May 1640, when the Spanish military troops were deployed en masse in the territory of Catalonia, the peasants of Girona rebelled against them and attacked them.
At the end of the month, the peasants, joining the harvesters in June, went to Barcelona, which they quickly conquered. They kill Spanish officials and judges representing King Philip IV. Viceroy himself is killed while trying to escape by sea. These dramatic events Blood Body.
French hope
Between France and Spain, the Generalitat of Catalonia will make its choice and seek Richelieu’s favor. the Catalan government representatives Ramon de Guimerà and Francesc de Vilaplana (nephew of President Pau Claris) sign a treaty with Louis XIII’s representative Bernard du Plessis-Besançon and are sent by Cardinal Richelieu to Ceret (Perpignan).
According to the Pact of Jeret, Catalonia was to receive military aid, become independent from Spain, and establish a Republic under the patronage of the French monarch.
President Paul Claris
In Barcelona, President Pau Claris convenes the parliament of the day (Courts). but at the same time, and without consulting the municipalities, contacts with the French began. Pau Claris issues a government loan to finance military spending. The victory of the French troops in the battles of Cambrils, Tarragona and Martorell put Catalonia under pressure. Finally, Louis XIII no longer wants the Republic of Catalonia and becomes Count of Barcelona. The capital of Catalonia officially became French.
In 1644, Spain restored the hair of the animal. IV Philippine armies recapture Catalan provincial cities lost to France. In 1652, the King of Spain recaptured Barcelona after the abandonment of the French troops. Even if France retains control over Roussillon, it is once again recognized as sovereign. It was signed in 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees between France and Spain. It divided Catalonia as we know it today into two parts: the provinces of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona in the south and Perpignan in the north.
“Catalan is disgusting to me”
Catalan identity under French rule will not resist for long. The unity of France will pass through the language. Louis XIV will issue a decree “Banning Catalan in Roussillon” and make this note: “The Catalan language is repugnant to me and its use is against my authority and the honor of the French nation”.
The result of this decree will gradually result in the loss of Catalan in the communication of administration and justice. The work of undermining regionalism in France by the monarchy would continue and even be emphasized after the French Revolution.
The ideology of the republic will be a union of France and Jacobinism, which unites all powers within a central state. The regional parliaments, which the fathers of the revolution relied on against King Louis XVI, were quickly closed. Only the National Assembly of Paris will represent the united people of France. It is the same in 2022.
