Michael Eaude - A People’s History of Catalonia

Catalonias aspiration to cut loose from the Spanish state is often dismissed as the whim of a self-interested merchant class. The truth is more complicated. As Michael Eaudes sharp, engrossing, and comprehensive historical narrative makes clear, the centuries-long push for Catalan independence is closely entwined with the peasant- and working-class struggle for social justice and democratic government.

Sebastiaan Faber, author of Exhuming Franco

This well-written study takes us on a much-needed historical journey from below, eloquently capturing the rebellious traditions of Catalonias assertive and proudly defiant popular classes from medieval times to today. By combining broad strokes and intricate detail, he establishes crucial connections between past and contemporary struggles to produce a vivid picture of the class war in a fractured and divided society that produced, in many respects, the most far-reaching social revolution in European history.

Chris Ealham, author of Anarchism and the City

This timely and impressive book not only dispels the myths and prejudices about the Catalan peoples struggles, so prevalent in Spain and elsewhere, but demonstrates the constant intertwining of the battles for national rights with peasant and working-class revolt from below. A thoroughly recommended read.

Andy Durgan, historian and author of Voluntarios por la revolucin

Gives a voice to one of the most rebellious people in Europe whose insurgency reached a pinnacle in 1936 with working-class revolution in Catalonia and continued through the ending of the Franco dictatorship through to todays fight to gain independence in the face of Spanish repression and nationalism. Michael does the Catalan people proud.

Chris Bambery, author of Catalonia Reborn and Public Point of Enquiry for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Catalonia

History tends to be viewed from the perspective of the rich and powerful, where the actions of small numbers are seen to dictate the course of world affairs. But this perspective conceals the role of ordinary women and men, as individuals or as parts of collective organisations, in shaping the course of history. The Peoples History series puts ordinary people and mass movements centre stage and looks at the great moments of the past from the bottom up.

The Peoples History series was founded and edited
by William A. Pelz (19512017).

Also available:

A Peoples History of Tennis David Berry

A Peoples History of the Russian Revolution Neil Faulkner

Long Road to Harpers Ferry The Rise of the First American Left Mark A. Lause

A Peoples History of Modern Europe William A. Pelz

A Peoples History of the German Revolution, 191819 William A. Pelz Foreword by Mario Kessler

A Peoples History of the Portuguese Revolution Raquel Varela

A Peoples History of Europe From World War I to Today Raquel Varela

Michael Eaude

First published 2022 by Pluto Press

New Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA

www.plutobooks.com

Copyright Michael Eaude 2022

The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978 0 7453 4212 2 Hardback

ISBN 978 0 7453 4213 9 Paperback

ISBN 978 1 786808 58 5 PDF

ISBN 978 1 786808 59 2 EPUB

This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. Logging, pulping and manufacturing processes are expected to conform to the environmental standards of the country of origin.

Typeset by Stanford DTP Services, Northampton, England

Simultaneously printed in the United Kingdom and United States of America

This book is dedicated to the memory of two dear and brave comrades, both of whom continued to fight for revolutionary change despite debilitating ill health:

Mike Polley, 19542015, who taught me patience

Pedro Serrano Lobato, 19572019, who showed me boldness

Many more people than I mention here have enriched my knowledge of Catalonia in 30 years of residence. In particular, I have been taught by the political culture and creative militancy of the activists of En lluita and Anticapitalistes.

Conversations with the following and/or information from them have contributed specifically to this book. Needless to say, responsibility for all errors and stupid remarks is mine alone. Many thanks to:

Jordi Amat i Tarruella, Brian Anglo, Chris Bambery, Anbal Besora, Arnau Barquer, scar Blanco, Pere Comellas, Chris Ealham, Mike Gonzalez, Angelina Llongueras, Nick Lloyd, Leo Magriny, Dmaso Martn, Fernando Palomo, Maria Rovira i Lastra, Elena Sagrist, Professor Josep Maria Salrach, Joel Sans Molas, Teresa Solana and Robin White.

I am especially grateful to Paul Ambrose, Marisa Asensio, Andy Durgan, David C. Hall and scar Simn Bueno, who read various chapters and corrected loose syntax, undigested ideas and several embarrassing mistakes. The suggestions of David Castle of Pluto Press have also greatly improved the book.

Authors should explain their prejudice. Ill opt for the late actor Pepe Rubianes succinct summary of the Catalan question:

A m la unidad de Espaa me suda la polla por delante y por detrs.

A polite translation might be: I dont give two fucks for the unity of Spain.

Abat Olibas monastery at Ripoll (Dmaso Martn)

King Marts Tower. Plaa del Rei, Barcelona (Marisa Asensio)

Gargoyle of a witch, Girona Cathedral (Dmaso Martn)

Fossar de les Moreres. Mass grave and Memorial to the Dead in 1714 siege, Barcelona (Dmaso Martn)

Monument at Fulleda (Lleida) to Agustina of Aragon (Elena Sagrist)

La nena obrera (The Working Child). Painting by Joan Planella i Rodrguez (1885)

Plaque to Francesc Layret at Balmes, 26, Barcelona (Dmaso Martn)

Buenaventura Durrutis commemorative slab in the Montjuc cemetery, Barcelona (Dmaso Martn)

Mural in Girona to commemorate Antnia Androher (19132007) (Chris Bambery)

2019 Wall naming the 1,706 people executed at the Camp de la Bota, Barcelona, from 1939 and (Marisa Asensio)

Llus Llach revolutionising the public with his look (Dmaso Martn)

Human tower in a pro-independence demonstration (Paul Ambrose)

ANC Assemblea nacional catalana: Catalan National Assembly

BOC Bloc obrer i camperol: Workers and Peasants Bloc

CCMA Central Anti-Fascist Militia Committee CDR Committees for the Defence of the Republic

CEDA Spanish Federation for Autonomous Rights (Gil Robles party, close to fascism)

CiU Convergncia i Uni: Convergence and Union (Pujol-led Conservative coalition)

CNT Confederaci Nacional de Treball: National Labour Federation (anarchist-led)

CUP Candidatures dUnitat Popular: Popular Unity Candidacies ERC Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya: Republican Left of Catalonia

FAGC Front dAlliberament Gai de Catalunya: Gay Liberation Front of Catalonia