Basque Separatism Essay ⋆ Political Science Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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The Basque region (País Vasco) lies in the northern part of Spain on the border with France. Basque separatism reflects the Basques’ desire to establish an independent state that encompasses four Spanish regions—Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Álava (together País Vasco), and Navarra—plus three French regions—Labourdi, Basse-Navarre, and Soule. The father of Basque separatism is Sabino Arana, founder of the Basque Nationalist Party.

Several arguments are made for the creation of an independent Basque state. Supporters note that Basques are the oldest European nation, constituting an independent ethnic group that has historically inhabited four Spanish regions. Some point to their unique language of unknown origin that lacks any clear link to other languages.

In the Basque language, the name of their country is Euskal Herria (the people of Euskare), the language is Euskara, and one who speaks Basque is Euskaldun. What is not Euskara is Erdara, and one who does not speak Euskara is Erdaldun.

The Basque language is one of the most powerful means of enforcing separatism in the Basque region. For example, ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), the armed face of Basque separatism, rejected race as a reason for separatism but took the language instead. The region also has formal autonomy (following the Statutory of Autonomy from 1979 and the law enforcing Euskara from 1982). The region is divided into two parts: the Autonomous Community of Basque, in which the Basque language is equal to Spanish, and Navarra, where Basque is the second official language after Spanish. In French regions inhabited by Basques, the language is not officially recognized because the French consider France to be one country with one language and one nation.

One of the foundations of Basque separatism lies in the legacy of the fueros (an organization with traditional laws, administering life inside the fuero), which emerged in the eighteenth century from Aragon, Cataluña, Mallorca, and Valencía, but not from Basque. Fueros established relations with internal institutions functioning inside the fueros, such as the General Assembly (Juntas Generales). In Navarra, these councils established executive committees that played a role similar to the executive position of modern government.

Difficulties in maintaining autonomy in the form of fueros were encountered, and in 1839 the fueros were terminated. From that year until the civil war in 1936, Basques engaged in a national movement.With the emergence of the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera (1923–1930), the establishment of the Republic in 1931, and the civil war in 1936, the Basque Provinces (Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, and Álava) achieved autonomy. Navarra remained a separate autonomous province due to its mixed inhabitants, a situation which continues today.

General Francisco Franco Bahamonde (known as General Franco) persecuted and oppressed Basque nationalists along with Republicans. He did not recognize any national identity other than Spanish, and he sentenced Basque opponents to death. The oppression of Franco’s regime led to the creation of ETA in 1958. ETA is primarily a separatist organization, but it is often perceived as a terrorist network because it directly attacks the authorities. Its primary target is not civilians, but civilians have become victims. Franco’s death in 1975 brought a return to democracy and autonomy for the Basques (with general elections in 1977, confirmation of the constitution in 1978, and the Statutory on the Autonomy of the Basque in 1979). ETA, however, continues to fight for independence, with the goal of establishing an independent Basque state.

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Payne, Stanley G. A History of Spain and Portugal,Vol. II. Chicago: University of Wisconsin Press, 1973.
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