Francoist Spain: Regime, Laws, and International Isolation
Francoist Spain (1939-1975)
The Role of the Army
The army held a position of paramount importance in the Spanish government from 1939 to 1945. After this period, their influence gradually diminished, giving way to civil servants. Despite this shift, Franco consistently expressed gratitude for the army’s loyalty, and high-ranking military figures, such as Carrero Blanco, held ministerial positions.
Support Base and Ideology
Franco’s regime found support among various authoritarian groups, including Carlists, Falangists, and Catholics. Despite their differing political ideologies, these groups shared common ground in their:
- Opposition to democracy
- Rejection of territorial autonomy
- Defense of Spanish nationalism
Their collective vision for Spain was one characterized by Catholicism, tradition, and authoritarianism.
The Role of the Bourgeoisie and Middle Classes
Both the bourgeoisie and middle classes largely supported the Francoist uprising and the subsequent establishment of the Francoist state. The economic growth of the 1960s led to the emergence of a sizable apolitical middle class. This group accepted Francoism in exchange for the maintenance of their favorable living conditions.
Foundations of the Franco Regime
During the 1940s, Franco laid the groundwork for his regime, characterized by:
- Lifelong leadership
- Elimination of democracy
- Abolition of voting rights
- Suppression of political pluralism
- Centralization of power
- Curtailment of individual freedoms
- Restriction of assembly and expression rights
These actions stood in stark contrast to the principles enshrined in the Republican constitution.
Key Laws of the Franco Regime
Work Fuero (1938)
This law, one of the regime’s foundational acts, aimed to regulate labor relations. In 1940, Franco established the Vertical Union, a syndicate designed to control labor organization. Membership was mandatory for all workers, and even businessmen were incorporated. However, the system was inherently flawed, as the Falange dictated the rules, controlled labor practices, and enforced strict regulations, including a ban on strikes.
Law for Courts Formation (1942)
This law was an attempt to create a facade of democracy. Citizens were encouraged to participate in state duties through a single-chamber legislature comprising 500 representatives. However, 25 of these representatives were directly appointed by Franco, and the rest were not chosen through universal suffrage but through elections controlled by the regime. The Courts’ primary function was to engage in moderated discussions about regime laws and to applaud Franco’s speeches, rendering them largely powerless.
Spaniards’ Fuero (1945)
With the end of World War II, Franco made another attempt to project an image of democratization. However, this law proved to be purely symbolic. It proposed an authoritarian and confessional political system with limited rights accessible only to those aligned with the regime. While Franco paid lip service to citizens’ freedoms, these freedoms were severely restricted, both in theory and practice. Any action or comment deemed critical of the regime was strictly prohibited.
Referendum Law (1945)
This law officially introduced universal suffrage in Spain. While major projects were put to public vote, the lack of transparency in vote counting cast doubt on the legitimacy of the process. The referendum served primarily as a tool to legitimize the regime.
Law of Succession of the State (1947)
This law solidified Franco’s position as Head of State for life. It declared Spain a traditional, Catholic, and socially accepted monarchy. Despite having no authority to appoint a king, Franco designated Juan de Borbon as his successor.
Law of the Principles of National Movement (1958)
This law declared Falange Española Tradicionalista as the sole legal political party in Spain.
State’s Organic Law (1967)
Franco defined Spain as an”organic democracy” a concept he claimed was unique to Europe. This law introduced limited citizen participation by allowing for the election of one-third of the Court representatives. It also formally separated the positions of Head of State and President of the Government. However, the first president was not appointed until 1973.
These laws, while designed to present an image of democracy, effectively eliminated any genuine democratic practices. Power remained centralized, and the justice system operated under the regime’s control.
Repression and Control
Law of Political Responsibilities
; a law to act against those who did not support his coup d´etat.
To put this law into practice, he created special tribunals. In these, the judges did not need to prove that the accused were culpright; on the contrary, the accused should prove their innocence, and those considered culpright were sent to prison or made redundant at work. Death penalty was common, so repression was huge.
In 1940, the Law against communist and masonry was proclaimed. They accused them of the crisis of Spain. Franco repressed as many people as possible.
At the end of WW2, Spain was issolated because the victorious states said that Franconism was similar to fascism and they did not allow Spain being a member of the United Nations.
In 1946, the first General Assembly of United Nations gave some rules against Spain and in 1948, Spain was excluded of the Marshal plan. With these measures they aimed at forcing Franco to resign.
Around 1950, the international atmosphere became more favourable for Spain, with the beginning of Cold War. United Nations accepted Franco´s government, because of his anticommunism.
Franco wanted to be internationally accepted. For that, he tried to improve his relations with the US because it was the main capitalist state. But, on the other hand, the US only accepted Franco in the context of the Cold War and because of his strategical position.
Finally, in 1953, US and Spain reached to an economic agreement: US would put in Spain four military bases on exchange of giving Spain some economical help.
Later, Spain managed to enter in the UN (1955), but Franco was never recognized by the most important institutions due to the lack of democracy.
The regime proclaimed the officiality of Catholicism and gave the Church fuero. This law said that priests had special laws and, for instance, they would be subject to different justice. In addition, the State supported Church economicaly.