Basque nationalism: the main stages of evolution and the current situation

Nowadays, many states put the issue of nationalist movements on the agenda. The research describes the evolution of Basque nationalism since its establishment up to 2018. The authors conduct a retrospective analysis and highlight the key political, economic, and social prerequisites for the development of Basque nationalist doctrine. Its main stages are distinguished. Basque and Catalan independence movements are compared to each other based on public opinion research carried out by Spanish agencies. Particular attention is paid to the armed struggle of the Basques for their independence from Spain in order to create a cross-border state. Besides, the emphasis is placed on the methods used by the Kingdom of Spain, France, and Europol to combat Basque terrorism. In conclusion, the authors reveal the reasons for the cessation of armed confrontation between ETA and Madrid.