This book explores the complex history of Catalonia's relationship with Spain from an economic and political perspective. It begins in the Middle Ages and ends in the present day, analysing the intricate political problems of modern day Catalonia within the context of European integration and nationalism.

Chapters present a chronological history covering the period from Catalonia's earliest history to the present day. It explores Catalonia's eventual union with Spain, the 17th century crisis, the Franco dictatorship and, finally, its transition to democracy. The author leaves no stone unturned, examining a wealth of sources, from economic records to newspaper reportage and historical records. In an age of insurgent European nationalism and separatism, this book provides a timely long-form analysis of one of Europe's oldest regions.

Autorentext

Gabriel Tortella is Professor Emeritus of Economic History at the Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. He received the King Juan Carlos Economics Prize in 1994, and has been President of the International Economic History Association, the Spanish Economic History Association, and Chairman of the Academic Council of the European Association for Banking and Financial History, Frankfurt. Among his many publications, recent books include The Development of Modern Spain, The Origins of the Twenty-First, with J. A. Consiglio and J. C. Martínez Oliva, Banking and Finance in the Mediterranean with Gloria Quiroga, Entrepreneurship and Growth (Palgrave, 2013), and with José Luis García Ruiz, Spanish Money and Banking (Palgrave, 2013).

Inhalt
Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Medieval Origins of Catalonia and Spain.- Chapter 3. Catalonia in Early Modern Spain.- Chapter 4. Reform and Recovery in the Eighteenth Century.- Chapter 5. Catalonia and Spain during the Napoleonic Wars.- Chapter 6. The Nineteenth Century.- Chapter 7. The Twentieth Century, 1900-1975: Nationalism, Civil War and the Franco Dictatorship.- Chapter 8. Present-day Catalonia, 1976-2016: Politics, Economics, Education and Propaganda.- Chapter 9. Conclusion.