Self-government status and accommodation History of the Basques

1 self-government status , accommodation

1.1 navarre divided , home rule
1.2 masters of ocean
1.3 basque trade area

self-government status , accommodation
navarre divided , home rule

basques in present-day spanish , french districts of basque country managed retain large degree of self-government within respective districts, practically functioning separate nation-states. western basques managed confirm home rule @ end of kingdom of castile s civil wars, pledging oath claimant isabella of castile in exchange generous terms in overseas trade. fueros recognised separate laws, taxation , courts in each district.

as middle ages drew close, basques got sandwiched between 2 rising superpowers after spanish conquest of iberian navarre, i.e. france , spain. of basque population ended in spain, or spains , according poly-centric arrangement prevailing under habsburgs. initial repression in navarre on local nobility , population (1513, 1516, 1523) followed softer, compromising policy on part of ferdinand ii of aragon , charles of spain. while heavily conditioned geopolitical situation, kingdom of navarre-bearn remained independent , attempts @ reunification, both in iberian , continental navarre, did not cease 1610—king henry of navarre , france set march on navarre @ moment of assassination.

the protestant reformation made inroads , supported queen jeanne d albret of navarre-bearn. printing of books in basque, on christian themes, introduced in late 16th century basque-speaking bourgeoisie around bayonne in northern basque country. king henry iii of navarre, protestant, converted roman catholicism in order become king henry iv of france ( paris worth mass ). however, reformist ideas, imported via vibrant ways of saint james , sustained kingdom of navarre-bearn, subject intense persecution spanish inquisition , other institutions 1521, in bordering areas, matter close links shaky status of navarre.

the parliament of navarre in pamplona (the 3 states, cortes) kept denouncing king philip ii of spain s breach of binding terms laid out in oath taking ceremony—tension came head in 1592 imposed oath pledging philip iii of spain fraught irregularities—while in 1600 allegations arise of discrimination castilian abbots , bishops navarrese monks sake of nation , pointed kingdom s government (the diputación). combination of factors—suspicion of basques, intolerance different language, religious practices, traditions, high status held women in area (cf. whaling campaigns), along political intrigues involving lords of urtubie in urruña , critical urdazubi abbey—led basque witch trials in 1609.

in 1620 de jure separate lower navarre absorbed kingdom of france, , in 1659 treaty of pyrenees upheld actual spanish , french territorial control , determined fate of vague bordering areas, establishing customs did not exist point , restricting free cross-border access. measures decided implemented of 1680.

the region specific laws underwent gradual erosion , devaluation, more in french basque country in southern districts. in 1660 authority of assembly of labourd (biltzar of ustaritz) curtailed. in 1661 french centralization , nobility s ambition take on , privatize commons unleashed popular rebellion in soule—led bernard goihenetche matalaz —ultimately quelled in blood. however, labourd , biltzar retained important attributions , autonomy, showing independent fiscal system.

masters of ocean

blacksmith dressed in historic attire @ ironwork re-enactment in legazpi



harbour of bayonne in 1755, @ height of trade within guipuzcoan company of caracas

the basques (or biscaynes), proper biscayans, gipuzkoans , lapurdians, thrived on whale hunting, shipbuilding, iron exportation england, trade northern europe , america during 16th century, @ time basques became masters not of whaling, atlantic ocean. however, king philip ii of spain s failed armada invencible endeavour in 1588, largely relying on heavy whaling , trade galleons confiscated reluctant basques, proved disastrous. spanish defeat triggered immediate collapse of basque supremacy on oceans , rise of english hegemony. whaling declined, privateering soared.

many basques found on castilian-spanish empire opportunity promote social position , venture america make living , amass little fortune spurred foundation of present-day baserris. basques serving under spanish flag became renowned sailors, , many of them among first europeans reach america. example, christopher columbus first expedition new world partially manned basques, santa maria vessel made in basque shipyards , owner, juan de la cosa, may have been basque.

other seamen became renowned privateers french , spanish kings alike, namely joanes suhigaraitxipi bayonne (17th century), or Étienne pellot (hendaye), last privateer (early 19th century). end of 16th century, basques conspicuously present in america, notably chile, or potosí. in latter, hear went on cluster around national confederacy engaging in war against one, vicuñas, formed melting pot of spanish colonists , native americans (1620-1625).

a basque trade area

french map of basque districts (mid-18th century)

the basques welcomed philip v—from lineage of king henry iii of navarre—to crown of castile (1700), absolutist outlook inherited grandfather hardly withstand test of basque contractual system. 1713 treaty of utrecht (see basque sailors above) , 1714 suppression of home rule in kingdom of aragon , catalonia disquieted basques. did not take long until spanish king, relying on prime minister giulio alberoni, attempted enlarge tax revenue , foster spanish internal market meddling in basque low-tax trade area , moving basque customs ebro coast , pyrenees. overseas , customary cross-pyrenean trade—and extension home rule—under threat, royal advance responded western basques trail of matxinadas, or uprisings, shook 30 towns in coastal areas (biscay, gipuzkoa). spanish troops sent over, , widespread rebellion quelled in blood.

in wake of events, expedition led duke of berwick dispatched quadruple alliance broke spanish territory western pyrenees (april 1719) find gipuzkoans, biscayans , Álavans making formal, conditional recognition of french rule (august 1719). confronted collapsing basque loyalty, king philip v backed down on designs in favour of bringing customs ebro (1719). pardon leaders of rebellion in 1726 paved way understanding of basque regional governments madrid officials, , ensuing foundation of royal guipuzcoan company of caracas in 1728. basque districts in spain kept operating virtually independent republics.

the guipuzcoan company added prosperity of basque districts, exporting iron commodities , importing products such cacao, tobacco, , hides. merchandise imported on spanish heartland in turn incur no duties in customs. vibrant trade followed added flourishing building activity , establishment of pivotal royal basque society , led xavier maria de munibe, encouragement of science , arts.

emigration america did not stop, basques—reputed close solidarity bonds, high organizational skills , industrious disposition—found venturing upper california @ head of expeditions , governor positions, e.g. fermín lasuén, juan bautista de anza, diego de borica, j.j. de arrillaga, etc. @ home, need technical innovations—not encouraged longer spanish crown during last third of 18th century—the virtual exhaustion of forests supplying ironworks, , decline of guipuzcoan company of caracas after end of trade monopoly america heralded major economic , political crisis.

by end of 18th century basques deprived of customary trade america , choked spanish disproportionately high customs duties in ebro river, @ least enjoyed fluent internal market , intensive trade france. navarre s geographic distribution of trade in late 18th century estimated @ 37.2% france (unspecified), 62.3% other basque districts, , 0.5% spanish heartland. on positive note spanish customs exactions imposed on ebro favoured more european orientation , circulation of innovative ideas—labelled many in spain un-spanish —both technical , humanistic, such rousseau s social contract , hailed basque liberals, supported home rule (fueros). cross-pyrenean contacts among basque scholars , public personalities intensified, increasing awareness of common identity beyond district specific practices.