Aragon

In 1076, Aragon incorporated part of the Navarrese kingdom into its territories. The kingdom then extended its borders to the south, established threatening fortresses on the capital of Zaragoza. Aragon would later conquer the flat lands of the middle Ebro Valley. In 1137, The house of Aragon and the County of Barcelona would from a union and give rise to The Crown of Aragon. It would become the hegemonic power of the Mediterranean, controlling territories as important as Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia or Naples.

The Early Modern Age was marked by increasing tension between the power of the Spanish Monarchy and those of the regions. The decay of independent institutions meant political activity focused instead on the preservation of Aragonese history, culture and art.

The victory of Philip V in the War of Spanish Succession accelerated the trend towards greater centralisation; the Nueva Planta decrees of 1707 abolished the fueros and Aragonese political structures with their powers transferred to the Deputation of the Kingdom in Madrid; Aragon and Valencia were brought into the system in 1712.

Throughout the 19th century, Aragon was a stronghold of the Carlists, who offered to restore the fueros and other rights associated with the former Kingdom of Aragon. During the 1936–1939 civil war, Aragon was divided between the two sides. The Eastern Area which was closer to Catalonia was run by the Republican Regional Defence Council of Aragon, while the larger Western Area was controlled by the Nationalists.