Catalonia: A New History

Description

Catalonia: A New History revises many traditional and romantic conceptions in the historiography of a small nation. This book engages with the scholarship of the past decade and separates nationalist myth-history from real historical processes. It is thus able to provide the reader with an analytical account, situating each historical period within its temporal context. Catalonia emerges as a territory where complex social forces interact, where revolts and rebellions are frequent. This is a contested terrain where political ideologies have sought to impose their interpretation of Catalan reality. This book situates Catalonia within the wider currents of European and Spanish history, from pre-history to the contemporary independence movement, and makes an important contribution to our understanding of nation-making. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Introduction 1 Origins, from pre-history to the Romans 2 New influences. Visigoths, Christianity and the Arabs, 400–800 3 Consolidation and expansion 800–1150 4 Aragon and the Mediterranean Empire 1150–1410 5 Decline and revolt 1415–1660 6 1660–1830 Political incorporation, economic advance 7 1830–1939 Social conflict, national revival and ideological dispute 8 Francoism and the democratic experience 1939–2008 Epilogue: the failed push for Catalan independence Bibliography Index