Catalunya Barcelona: The Catalan Story of Barcelona

The 18th century War of Spanish Succession results in the suspension of autonomy in Barcelona and the region. Their language, Catalan, is outlawed, and a military outpost is erected to keep the locals in line. Episode 1 focuses mainly on the 19th century industrial expansion of Barcelona, the plight of the city's workers, and the rise of Spain's first Bourgeoisie class.

Barcelona, at the start of the 20th century, experienced unprecedented growth, annexing neighboring villages, building more factories and inspiring a wave of immigration from within Spain. Significant events include Tragic Week, the rise of anarcho-syndicalist labor unions, the creation of a Commonwealth of Catalunya, and a military coup that results in Spain's first 20th century dictatorship.

The 2nd Republic begins with great hope, in Barcelona and across Spain. For the first time in anyone's memory, working and lower classes are afforded a voice, and the opportunity for a brighter future. However, left and right-wing politicos are butting heads at every turn, and an ideological tug-of-war begets brinkmanship, ushering in the failed military coup that becomes the Spanish Civil War.

In 1936, a cadre of military generals launch a coup, seeking a return to a more traditional Spain. In Barcelona, the coup is repelled, with the help of armed workers and anarchists, leading to a short-lived anarcho-syndicalist revolution in the city. The larger war, however, pitting Nationalist Rebels against Republicans, will rage for three long years, and cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

Post-war Barcelona is a dark, ominous place. Famine is rampant. Jails are filled to capacity. The Catalan language, flags and cultural symbols have been banned. Even the city's soccer team, Barça, is forced to change its name. Members of the losing side of the Civil War, the Republicans, are now considered enemies of the state, and face a gauntlet of reprisals under the new regime.

The second half of the Franco dictatorship earned the nickname "Dictablanda" because it was perceived as less harsh than the first 20 years. However, as the 1960s begin, Barcelona, and indeed, all of Spain, seems frozen in time. Political pluralism and the Catalan language are outlawed. Yet, by the end of 1975, Franco is dead, and the people are becoming increasingly restless for change.

Francisco Franco, at 82, is dead. Decades in power have afforded him more than enough time to ensure his unique system of government, dubbed Francoism, continues. However, the populace, especially students and workers in commercial strongholds like Barcelona, sees Franco's death as an opportunity to leave the authoritarian regime behind, and pivot to a modern democratic state.

The transition to democracy was a success, and Spain is, once again, experiencing a period of democratic rule. However, a failed coup serves as a glaring reminder that not everyone is happy about it. Barcelona, meanwhile, wins an Olympic bid. The victory is transformative, inspiring myriad infrastructural changes, allowing the city to transition into the globally recognized city it is today.

Thanks to the towering success of the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona has reached the world stage. Gains in tourism, industry, and real estate are keying unprecedented prosperity for the region. Yet, there remains a burning desire to exert more social and political control. The city is a hotbed of political and social action, putting it on a collision course with Spain's central government.

Owing to a corruption scandal, the regional president has been ousted, replaced by a relative newcomer named Carles Puigdemont. Upon taking office, he pledges to hold a binding referendum on Catalan independence. But the central government is adamant: the vote will never happen. Months of saber-rattling and city-wide protests unfold, as the date of the referendum, October 1, 2017 approaches.