AHC: In 1640 Spain retains Portugal but losses Catalonia

In 1640 Catalonia (with french support) and Portugal (with english support) declared independence from Spain.

OTL the catalans where crushed in 1652, and the Portuguese achieved independence in 1668

Is it possible to reverse the situation, with Portugal retained but lossing Catalonia?
Bonus if Catalonia is not ruled (directly) by the french king (Louis XIII or XIV depending on when independence is achieved)

If it's possible to do this, what will be the relations between Spain, Catalonia and France? What role can Catalonia play in the future politics of Europe and Mediterranean?

Thanks
 
Whilst Spanish history beyond the reqonquista isn't my strong suit, I can make some boldfaced claims about the role of Catalonia upon claiming independence. For the purposes of this scenario I will refer to Catalonia as "Aragón" as per it's predecessor.

Aragón unlike Portugal is in a pretty weak position at this point to be honest. They have no clear route to the Atlantic and as such unlike Portugal will be unable to act as a colonial power and have no strategic location to get trade from the Americas or Indies. Whilst I love Aragón as a kingdom, I'm forced to concede that unless they can get Naples back they're going to be a lame dog that has to play between Spain and France and keep their head down or be stomped.

I'd imagine that the Aragónese will focus their efforts on Italy, Sicily and the other isles in the mediterranean, but lack any real power in the scene itself.
 
Thanks Olligarchy for the answer
Unfortunately it's not Aragon as a whole who declared independence
It was a Catalonia only thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_Revolt) in wich the first years went well for the catalans (Declaration of Catalan Republic and military victories in Barcelona and Montblanc)
The only way I see the catalans can 'win' is not subjecting themselves to the king of France, and Spain obligued to concede independence in the Treaty of Westphalia, effectively ending the Franco Spanish War (1635)
The future is dark for an independent Catalonia, as you say, but can it become a 'Mediterranean Switzerland'? A neutral maritime country that neither France nor Spain let the other conquer
 
It might make an interesting TL, or a group of character driven pieces to explore this region in history. :cool: Personally I'd love to read or even research and write about it.
 
Switzerland has the huge advantage of being pretty much surrounded by weak states for much of its history. Catalonia has no such luxury.

Nor is it as defensible.
 
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