The PNB was formed in the aftermath of split between
federalists and nationalists within the
Breton Autonomist Party (PAB), following the
Congress of Guingamp in August 1931. Following the collapse of the PAB, the federalists led by
Morvan Marchal formed the
Breton Federalist League; the nationalist faction, led by
Olier Mordrel, decided to found a new party with a clearly nationalist agenda, namely seeking Breton independence from France. This revived the programme of the previous
Breton Nationalist Party, which had existed from 1911-1914. A congress was held in
Landerneau on December 27, 1931. The following year, activists led by
Célestin Lainé bombed a sculpture in
Rennes representing Breton unity with France. The creation of this sculpture had spurred the foundation of the earlier party in 1911. The party was influenced by international
Celticist ideas, and modelled its aspirations on Irish independence movements. It was also closely associated with
fascist ideology. Because of its connections with
Nazi Germany the party was banned in France on the outbreak of
World War II in 1939, but after the defeat of France it was revived, becoming closely associated with
Breton collaborationism. During the occupation France the PNB established a paramilitary, Bagadoù stourm, influenced by the SA that adopted a flag similar to that of the
Reichskriegsflagge. An explicitly Nazi faction broke away in 1941 under the name
Breton Social-National Workers' Movement. During its existence, the PNB published a newspaper, ''
L'Heure Bretonne''. ==Literature==