Sierra Stapp
El nacionalismo y el regionalismo en España: Los sentimientos de la identidad español a través de la historia
Nationalism and Regionalism in Spain: Sentiments of Spanish Identity throughout History
Advisor: Dr. Donaldo Urioste
Abstracto:
Es bien sabido hoy en día que España no es una nación unida y que tiene varias regiones que quieren más autonomía, si no independencia completa de Madrid, la capital nacional. En este proyecto de Capstone, es mi intención investigar la historia del nacionalismo y del regionalismo españoles para determinar el origen y las causas tras la división de la gente española. Examino algunos momentos en la historia española reciente que han movido el país hacia unas opiniones y filosofías muy divisivas, que resultaron en fuertes movimientos opositoras de ideología nacionalista o regionalista. También incluyo y comento varias obras literarias escritas de perspectiva regionalista o nacionalista para apoyar la investigación. Al final del estudio, el lector tendrá una buena comprensión de lo qué son el nacionalismo y el regionalismo españoles, y de las pasiones y sentimientos que se asocian con estas ideologías opuestas.
Abstract:
It is well known today that Spain is not a unified country and has several regions that want more autonomy if not complete independence from Madrid, the nation’s capital. It is my intention in this Capstone project to investigate the history of Spanish nationalism and regionalism, and determine the origins and causes of the divisions of the Spanish people. I examine significant moments through recent Spanish history that have led the country to very divisive philosophies and ideas and toward very strong movements with nationalist or regionalist ideologies, including in the present day. In support of this historical research I also include and discuss several twentieth century literary works written from the perspectives of both the nationalists and the regionalist. Upon completion of this investigation, the reader will have a good understanding of what nationalism and regionalism is in Spain, and what attitudes and sentiments that go along with these opposing ideologies.
Final Paper
capstone_final.docx | |
File Size: | 50 kb |
File Type: | docx |
English Summary
Everyone knows that Spain is not a united nations like other. We see the Catalonia has a large separatist movement and so does Basque Country. It is clear that the country is divided. This is an investigation into the historical and political reasons behind the division, including political movements and organizations. I will also use literary references to provide evidence of nationalistic or regionalist sentiments. My primary focus will be on the 20th century continuing into the current day indication of division or unification, however, I will begin the exploration with the original sentiments of nationalism and discovering where the Spanish identity comes from. This social and political study will conclude with a general understanding of what it means to be nationalistic in Spain, how that has changed over history, and how the term ‘nationalistic’ can also be used to describe someone who is more loyalty or devoted to their region rather than their nation entirely.
While studying abroad in Madrid, Spain in 2012-2013, I noticed the Spanish identity was constantly being challenged and the separatist movements were always on the news. I had a professor who asked my class to write an essay on Spanish nationalism and why it is not a unified nation. This sparked my passion for learning about the history of the people and how history has changed their sentiments towards their nation. It was clear that there are two political groups, the leftists and the rightists, and that the extremists of these groups are prominent in society. It is also easily noticeable that the expression of Spanish nationality had a taboo around it, because of the Franco regime. Flags are only on government buildings, where as here in the United States you find them in classrooms, post offices and any other public institution, as well as personal home atmospheres. There is clearly tension occurring between Madrid and Barcelona, which is demonstrated every time the two rival teams play each other in a futból stadium.
Aggression within the people in Spain is rising due to the current economic crisis, and the exploration of the history of the national and regional sentiments gives us answers as to where these strong sentiments come from and why they have lasted for so long. We can conclude that the Carlist wars created the initial division that were later revived during the Civil War and continue to occur during time of hardship. The generación del 98 led to the current ideologies of nationalism, and the transitional time between the 19th and 20th century started the separatist movements in País Vasco and Cataluña that were later suppressed by the dictatorships of Primo de Rivera and Francisco Franco. The Spanish identity has been formed by several civil wars and absolute dictatorships along with a peaceful transition to a democratic government, and regions like País Vasco and Cataluña have strong regionalist identities because of their strong ties to their cultural roots. It is essential that Spain maintains a sustainable balance between being a unified country and having a system that incorporates the different regions and their deeply rooted cultures.
While studying abroad in Madrid, Spain in 2012-2013, I noticed the Spanish identity was constantly being challenged and the separatist movements were always on the news. I had a professor who asked my class to write an essay on Spanish nationalism and why it is not a unified nation. This sparked my passion for learning about the history of the people and how history has changed their sentiments towards their nation. It was clear that there are two political groups, the leftists and the rightists, and that the extremists of these groups are prominent in society. It is also easily noticeable that the expression of Spanish nationality had a taboo around it, because of the Franco regime. Flags are only on government buildings, where as here in the United States you find them in classrooms, post offices and any other public institution, as well as personal home atmospheres. There is clearly tension occurring between Madrid and Barcelona, which is demonstrated every time the two rival teams play each other in a futból stadium.
Aggression within the people in Spain is rising due to the current economic crisis, and the exploration of the history of the national and regional sentiments gives us answers as to where these strong sentiments come from and why they have lasted for so long. We can conclude that the Carlist wars created the initial division that were later revived during the Civil War and continue to occur during time of hardship. The generación del 98 led to the current ideologies of nationalism, and the transitional time between the 19th and 20th century started the separatist movements in País Vasco and Cataluña that were later suppressed by the dictatorships of Primo de Rivera and Francisco Franco. The Spanish identity has been formed by several civil wars and absolute dictatorships along with a peaceful transition to a democratic government, and regions like País Vasco and Cataluña have strong regionalist identities because of their strong ties to their cultural roots. It is essential that Spain maintains a sustainable balance between being a unified country and having a system that incorporates the different regions and their deeply rooted cultures.
english_pres._capstone_.pptx | |
File Size: | 1141 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
spanish_pres.pptx | |
File Size: | 938 kb |
File Type: | pptx |