228:
changed by the publication of FLB's manifesto in late 1968, which called for the right of
Bretons to own local means of production and argued that Brittany is a colony suffering under the foreign domination of France. The FLB wrote: "... We are in a typical colonial situation, where a handful of foreign capitalist entrepreneurs, represented by the French State, exploit and transform at their leisure, and for their own interests, the natural and human wealth of an indigenous community, powerless and enslaved, that is to say almost destroyed."
249:
Breton struggle for independence a part of a larger struggle for liberating all stateless nation of Europe and creating a federal or confederal structure, devoid of foreign domination. When interviewed, most FLB members confirmed that the organization was not pan-European, with one member stating: "We had to build a strategy of separation that would lead to total independence. It must also be said that in that era we were not interested at all in the construction of the
European Union. Our preferred readings were
224:, as the treaty allowed Brittany to remain a legally separate duchy from France and thus retain a large degree of sovereignty, which was then gradually abolished by French centralism. The organization positioned itself as a fierce opponent of French unitary administration and affirmed that it would not exist in the first place "if the Bretons had the status that the English colonists gave to the Quebecois: autonomous government, elected assembly, compulsory teaching of the national language."
273:, rejecting the European Union as exploitative and bourgeois. Both organisations likewise stated: "The fight against imperialism and colonialism in the Western European subcontinent calls for determined and fundamental opposition to the Common Market. The national oppression and economic exploitation suffered by the Irish, Basque, and Breton people can do nothing in effect but worsen by the development of this vast and dangerous capitalist enterprise."
34:
362:, founded 1930. There are reports that the only two known FLB victims during this period were two FLB members themselves, who were killed while trying to defuse a bomb they were afraid may hurt civilians. They thus gained a reputation in the international community as the "smiling terrorists." The actions of the organization did not arise any moral disapproval of the Breton community, and the FLB enjoyed constant support of Breton nationalists.
236:. On 29 May 1972 the FLB published a new manifesto which went further; instead of establishing indigenous socialism as the main ideology of the group, the new 1972 manifesto affirmed the FLB's dedication to Marxism instead. The document also included the name change of ARB - instead of Armee Republicaine Bretonne (Breton Republican Army), it was now known as the Armee Revolutionnaire Bretonne (Breton Revolutionary Army).
139:
658:
contacts in the Free Wales Army and the IRA. Much in the tradition of using
Ireland as a safe haven, recruitment for the FLB took place there, free from the reach of the French authorities. Throughout the 1970s, countless young Bretons made a pilgrimage to the heavily-mythologized Éire in order to join the FLB, or visit during Easter celebrations.
245:
that the long-term goal is to go further, stating: "We believe that Europe is destined to form, sooner or later, an economic unity, and we see this transformation as the sole means of eliminating this universal calamity that is standing armies and wars. But we believe that this unity will not be a federation of the current states."
354:
The first known FLB attack occurred in June 1966 when a municipal tax office in Saint-Brieuc was bombed, and a note signed by the FLB claimed that they would continue to carry out a campaign of violence against these "occupying symbols of
Brittany." In the following years, the FLB carried out attacks
264:
Ultimately, the FLB followed "a philosophy more concerned with socialism worldwide than ethnonationalism and
Europeanism". While sympathy for other separatist was common, and the FLB believed that its cause "was very connected to the international struggles in Paris, in relation with the Occitans and
248:
Strong Celtic and Pan-European currents in Breton nationalism made the FLB embrace these ideologies as well, infusing their separatism with "celticism and europeanism". However, support for
European federation was never supported by the majority of FLB members, and was a minority view that considered
239:
Breton separatism was particularly unique in its eagerness to establish international connections with other separatist movements across the world, and playing a very active role in Celtic movements. As early as 1911, Breton nationalists called for the need to "develop lines of friendship between all
231:
The organisation called itself socialist and called for 'indigenous socialism' in
Brittany that would be "neither bureaucratic nor authoritarian", and was to be inspired by the Celtic heritage and tradition of Brittany. The FLB then steadily moved towards a more radical direction, though in September
529:
During the very early years of its activity the FLB seems to have had no clear doctrine to explain its acts. It appears to have been seeking the rights of the province in accordance with the treat of 1532, providing a united front of different classes in favour of independence and being inspired by
381:
Though most had favorable outcomes for the organization, trials bolstered the Breton "liberation" movement as the trials were perceived to be further suppressive action by the government. This period was also marked with a rise in the number of students enrolling in Breton language courses, as being
227:
The FLB also included the ARB, whose name was inspired by the IRA and which was considered the armed wing of the FLB. The ARB called for armed struggle against the "French occupation of
Brittany", though initially the group lacked a precise doctrine and had its members operate autonomously. This was
276:
Nevertheless, the FLB was distinguished by its willingness to work together with other separatist organizations. It established contact with Basque
Euskadi Ta Askatasuna in 1969, and became associated with the Provisional Irish Republican Army around the same time. All three groups exchanged intel,
377:
It was in 1969 that the police intervened, confiscating propaganda and weaponry. More than 60 people were arrested, those directly involved in previous attacks were given brief sentences, however within a few months many had been granted amnesty, or pardons, and released. Although created by young
244:
which was also attended by representatives of the
Alsatian, Corsican, Flemish and Celtic nationalist movements. While the declaration of the conference was very moderate and only called for extensive autonomy within France that would become "une fédération de peuples", the Breton delegation stated
585:
On 29 May 1972, however, a text was published which seemed to contradict the 1968 manifesto. Published by the Agence Presse-Liberation, the text placed the FLB's actions firmly within a Marxist framework. It was this document that gave the ARB's title as the Armee Revolutionnaire Bretonne, rather
330:
In the following years, the FLB carried out attacks against administrative structures, such as electrical installations, police barracks and statues, mainly by bombing them. The number of attacks peaked in 1968. However, the FLB ensured that no physical injuries or deaths would result from their
681:
The FLB therefore recruited Yann Fouéré in the late 60s as their de facto ideological director. Fouéré served on the état-major General Staff, the pseudo-military head of the FLB, which also included René Vaillant. He frequently travelled to Dublin to represent the FLB in the CNBL, and also had
657:
The FLB therefore recruited Yann Fouéré in the late 60s as their de facto ideological director. Fouéré served on the état-major General Staff, the pseudo-military head of the FLB, which also included René Vaillant. He frequently travelled to Dublin to represent the FLB in the CNBL, and also had
633:
In regard to the contact between ETA and the FLB, the Basques were somewhat more willing than their comrades in the PIRA to work with the Bretons. ETA and the FLB established contact in 1969, and it was through the Breton connection that ETA and the PIRA became acquainted around this same time.
405:
Yann was involved in a "Pro-German witch Hunt" in 1944, where he was held in custody for a year. Upon escape, he was sheltered by fellow Nationalists in Wales. While hidden he was sentenced to life in prison and was forced out of Brittany and into the Republic of Ireland, where he secured
335:. They thus gained a reputation in the international community as the "smiling terrorists." There are even reports that the only two known FLB victims during this period were two FLB members themselves, who were killed while trying to defuse a bomb they were afraid would hurt civilians.
401:
Yann was a prominent force in the Breton Liberation Front, so much so that he fled to Ireland 1948, seeking political asylum. He was an author, businessman and, in some ways politician. In 1999 he formed the "Party for the Organization of Free Brittany" which he led until 2004.
557:
The FLB sought for Brittany a socialism that would be neither bureaucratic nor authoritarian, would be inspired by Brittany's Celtic heritage, would maintain the liberties that Brittany most cherished and would give Bretons of all classes the opportunity to lead a full
609:
In conclusion to this chapter, the FLB not only had international ambitions, but actually took steps towards realizing a cooperative strategy with the Irish and Basques. Their internationalist outlook was inherited from a longer history of Europeanism among Breton
281:. The organization also sought ties with revolutionary Cuba and contacted the Cuban government through Swiss embassy, but Cuba turned the Bretons down as it did not want to sour its relations with France. Surprisingly, the party was also allied to the
219:
While the ideology of FLB was unclear during its very early years, the group's overarching goal was Breton independence, considering their cause a part of the greater struggle of Celtic and European nations. The FLB believed that France had abused the
409:
In 1973 Yann ran for political office, lost, then was arrested two years later for involvement with the Breton Liberation Front's bombings. He was released conditionally until 1979 when he and 22 others were charged with security-related offences .
634:
Initially there was probably some sharing of intelligence and diplomatic exchanges. After the 1972 meeting in Northern Ireland, a small selection of young Breton militants may have received training from ETA in clandestine camps in the Pyrenees.
443:
He was arrested during attacks by the Breton Liberation Front. After being freed he went into exile for many years in Jersey. He died at 96 years old in 2023 after a 68-year career as a founding member, vice-president, and president of the
355:
against administrative structures, such as electrical installations, police barracks and statues—mainly by bombing them. Though the group peaked in 1968 there have been attacks reported as recently as 2014 using incineration tactics.
432:
378:
Bretons in the early 1960s, the FLB enjoyed popular support, evident during these arrests which revealed that members came from very diverse backgrounds: businessmen, housewives, students, farmers, and even clergy.
435:
during which time he survived being captured by occupying forces. After the war in 1955 he co-founded the Breton Nationalist magazine Ar Vro and later Jeune Bretagne, becoming a regular contributor to
346:, or ARB). This group acted separately from the FLB and proved to be the durable faction that still exists today. There were several Breton liberation groups that were distinct from the FLB.
305:. The FLB represented a new wave of nationalist politics associated with anti-colonialist ideology. The group claimed that Brittany was oppressed by France acting as a colonial power.
358:
The FLB ensured that no physical injuries or deaths would result from their attacks, which they wished to remain purely symbolic; in this they followed the model of the earlier group
453:
940:
930:
481:
312:, retain their own national identity including an independent language from that of France, music, and other cultural details. Bretons are considered an ethnic
327:
was bombed, and a note signed by the FLB claimed that they would continue to carry out a campaign of violence against these "occupying symbols of Brittany".
935:
445:
359:
945:
915:
417:
at 101 years old in 2011, where he spent his last days advocating for Breton Nationalism and avoiding being tried as a "wartime collaborator."
277:
and in 1972 some Breton militants received training from ETA in the Pyrenees. The FLB also had its combatants trained by the far-left Irish
406:
citizenship. In 1955 he was given a retrial in France and came back, innocent, to form the "Movement for the Organization of Brittany."
286:
834:
486:
366:
122:
811:
791:
771:
748:
671:
647:
623:
599:
813:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
793:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
773:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
750:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
673:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
649:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
625:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
601:
Constructing the 'Third Europe'? The International Connections of Radical Nationalist Organizations in Western Europe, 1960-1980
857:
491:
269:. In 1972, FLB and ETA released a joint declaration calling for the boycott of the French referendum on enlargement of the
925:
920:
221:
81:
199:) was a paramilitary organisation founded in 1963 whose aims were to seek greater autonomy for the region of Brittany (
910:
270:
323:, who was operating from Ireland. The first known FLB attack occurred in June 1966 when a municipal tax office in
339:
165:
203:
Breizh) separate from the rest of France. Brittany is a province in northwest France, and formed an independent
282:
232:
1969 a Maoist faction left the organisation to form FLB-2, which then dissolved shortly afterwards to join the
33:
332:
156:
95:
331:
attacks, which they wished to remain purely symbolic. In this they followed the model of the earlier group
285:, despite it being much more moderate than ETA. The FLB was also involved in the creation of the far-left
233:
208:
118:
889:
875:
298:
316:
group with their roots in Brittonic-speaking people from what is today Devon and Cornwall in Britain.
107:
87:
58:
91:
449:
396:
266:
204:
143:
846:
Michael John Christopher O'Callaghan, Separatism in Brittany, Dyllansow Truran, 1983, p.77–83
99:
265:
the Algerians", the organization did not share the vision of confoederal "Third Europe" of
426:
200:
188:
180:
126:
338:
Factions in the FLB emerged in the early 1970s, leading to the creation of the militant
437:
313:
297:
Breton Nationalism had been a significant force in the early 20th century through the
904:
831:
The Bretons against France: ethnic minority nationalism in twentieth-century Brittany
414:
382:
able to speak Breton was seen as legitimizing one's position as a Breton militant.
324:
302:
278:
319:
The group was linked to surviving members of earlier nationalist groups, notably
320:
724:
700:
571:
543:
515:
207:
until the treaty of union in 1532. The group allegedly had strong allies with
819:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. pp. 10–15.
241:
756:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. pp. 6–7.
255:
The Rape of the Masses: The Psychology of Totalitarian Political Propaganda
679:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. p. 11.
655:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. p. 11.
631:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. p. 14.
607:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. p. 16.
301:, but it has been discredited by its association with collaborationism in
799:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. p. 13.
779:(Bachelor of Arts in History thesis). University of Victoria. p. 17.
240:
the Celtic peoples", and in 1927 Breton separatists held a conference in
70:
309:
138:
74:
431:
Pierre joined a resistance movement at 16 years old during the
132:
114:
80:
66:
53:
43:
18:
865:(Thesis). Universidad del PaĂs Vasco. p. 17.
694:
692:
690:
723:O'Callaghan, Michael John Christopher (1982).
712:(Thesis). Durham University. pp. 120–121.
699:O'Callaghan, Michael John Christopher (1982).
570:O'Callaghan, Michael John Christopher (1982).
542:O'Callaghan, Michael John Christopher (1982).
514:O'Callaghan, Michael John Christopher (1982).
509:
507:
530:a vague mixture of celticism and europeanism.
482:Party for the Organization of a Free Brittany
8:
682:contacts in the Free Wales Army and the IRA.
941:Paramilitary organizations based in France
765:
763:
583:(Thesis). Durham University. p. 122.
555:(Thesis). Durham University. p. 122.
527:(Thesis). Durham University. p. 120.
15:
736:(Thesis). Durham University. p. 122.
365:One of their most notorious acts was the
211:as their struggles were almost the same.
810:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
790:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
770:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
747:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
670:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
646:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
622:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
598:McCreanor, Kyle Thomas (28 April 2017).
367:1978 bombing of the Palace of Versailles
503:
446:Federal Union of European Nationalities
7:
931:Secessionist organizations in Europe
859:Breton nationalism: Past and Present
856:Telleria, Ihintza Lekuona (2022).
835:University of North Carolina Press
193:Front de Libération de la Bretagne
26:Front de Libération de la Bretagne
14:
936:Organizations established in 1963
487:Attack of 7 August 1932 in Rennes
586:than Arme Republicaine Bretonne.
137:
32:
448:and its representative at the
373:Trials and police intervention
344:Armée révolutionnaire bretonne
1:
946:1963 establishments in France
916:National liberation movements
287:Front de libération du Québec
433:German occupation of France
271:European Economic Community
259:The Technique of Revolution
962:
424:
394:
308:Citizens of Brittany, or,
492:The Roc'h Trédudon attack
340:Breton Revolutionary Army
166:Breton Revolutionary Army
149:
31:
283:Basque Nationalist Party
177:Breton Liberation Front
96:Revolutionary socialism
19:Breton Liberation Front
893:Agence Bretagne Presse
879:Agence Bretagne Presse
726:Separatism in Brittany
702:Separatism in Brittany
573:Separatism in Brittany
545:Separatism in Brittany
517:Separatism in Brittany
234:Breton Communist Party
209:ETA (separatist group)
192:
185:Talbenn Dieubiñ Breizh
184:
460:Other notable leaders
299:Breton National Party
257:by Sergei Chakhotin,
123:Irish Republican Army
119:Euskadi Ta Askatasuna
38:The organization logo
22:Talbenn Diebiñ Breizh
926:Separatism in France
921:Rebellions in France
144:Government of France
108:European federalism
67:Active regions
59:Breton independence
911:Breton nationalism
92:Celtic nationalism
45:Dates of operation
450:Council of Europe
205:Duchy of Brittany
173:
172:
162:Succeeded by
88:Breton separatism
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153:Preceded by
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465:Yann Puillandre
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429:
427:Pierre Le Moine
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421:Pierre Le Moine
399:
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386:Notable leaders
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261:by Malaparte."
253:by Mao Zedong,
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201:Breton language
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127:Free Wales Army
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710:Durham Theses
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610:nationalists.
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582:
581:Durham Theses
575:
574:
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553:Durham Theses
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525:Durham Theses
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471:Fr Le Breton
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415:Saint-Brieuc
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303:World War II
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49:1963 – 1990s
25:
21:
413:He died in
397:Yann Fouéré
391:Yann Fouéré
360:Gwenn ha du
333:Gwenn ha du
321:Yann Goulet
267:Yann Fouéré
157:Gwenn ha Du
61:from France
905:Categories
468:Dr Gourves
279:Saor Éire
242:Rosporden
133:Opponents
104:Factions:
476:See also
350:Activity
215:Ideology
82:Ideology
71:Brittany
310:Bretons
293:History
54:Motives
314:Celtic
189:French
181:Breton
115:Allies
75:France
863:(PDF)
817:(PDF)
797:(PDF)
777:(PDF)
754:(PDF)
730:(PDF)
706:(PDF)
677:(PDF)
653:(PDF)
629:(PDF)
605:(PDF)
577:(PDF)
558:life.
549:(PDF)
521:(PDF)
498:Notes
454:OSCE
452:and
175:The
197:FLB
195:or
907::
891:,
877:,
833:,
762:^
732:.
708:.
689:^
579:.
551:.
523:.
506:^
456:.
440:.
369:.
289:.
191::
187:,
183::
73:,
342:(
179:(
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