Anticolonialism, race and violence in Basque radical nationalism (1892-1936) - (Contemporary Hispanic and Lusophone Cultures) by Maria Reyes Baztán

Book Synopsis

An Open Access edition of this book will be available on the Liverpool University Press website and the OAPEN library as part of the Opening the Future project with COPIM.

This is the first in-depth study of the origins and development of anticolonial language and rhetoric within early Basque radical nationalism. The monograph traces the waxing and waning of anticolonial ideas during the first few decades of the Basque nationalist movement through a close examination of Basque periodicals. This close examination of Basque anticolonialism - which is studied in parallel to that of key moments of global anticolonialism - allows us to understand the Basque radical ideology better, including the strategic character of its recurrent anticolonial language. The monograph argues that despite the undeniable presence of anticolonial ideas within the movement, Basque anticolonialism was more strategic than heartfelt. This strategic use of anticolonial rhetoric explains why, from the start of the movement, Basque nationalists mixed anticolonial rhetoric with imperialist, racist and sometimes Orientalist discourses. By unpacking the set of complex and often contradictory ideas that existed in the Basque anticolonial corpus, this book offers a first glimpse into the complexities of European anticolonialism. The monograph also explores how Basque radicals began to consider different strategies used in colonial settings, including violence, when forcing analogies between the Basques and other colonised nations. (Anti)colonialism, violence and race are the main themes of this book.

Review Quotes

'A richly researched and beautifully written study that makes a substantial and original contribution to Basque and Spanish studies. I was already familiar with the topic, yet I still learned a great deal from this impressive monograph.' - Diego Muro, University of St Andrews

'The analysis of the relationship between the radical wing of Basque nationalism and anti-colonialism until the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 offers new insights into the history of nationalism in general and Basque nationalism in particular.' - Ludger Mees, University of the Basque Country