Franco’s Dictatorship: Stages, Ideology, and Structure
Franco’s Dictatorship: A Detailed Analysis
The dictatorship established by Franco can be defined as a non-transitory regime. This new regime was established as a totalitarian system without democratic freedoms and without a constitution, and in which all powers were concentrated in the figure of the Head of State, General Franco. We must say that this dictatorship is a mixture of military dictatorship, fascist state (it was inspired by Italy and Germany) and absolute monarchy without a king (Franco is king/Leader).
Franco dismantled all institutions of the republican era, abolished the 1931 Constitution and all individual and collective rights.
With regard to the ideological foundations of the regime, it must be said that it was contrary to liberalism, liberal democracy, communism, and peripheral nationalisms. Franco’s power was always expressed in 3 areas: civil, military, and ecclesiastical. The diversity of influence that the regime was relying on corporate groups (Army and Church) and groups of politicians (Falange and Monarchists).
The Pillars of Franco’s Power
Regarding the army, it must be said that it was the backbone of the system, but was never used to control public order. Its loyalty was rewarded with numerous appointments to senior positions of government.
Regarding the influence of the church, we have to say that Franco made Catholicism the ideological foundation of the regime. The church had a huge influence in all areas. Since Vatican II initiated a departure from the regime, but until then, Catholicism with Spanish nationalism was the ideological axis of the system (National-Catholicism).
The Falange was one of the great pillars, which was gradually losing power. It was becoming a bureaucratic machine that only had some power in the National Council of the Movement and the unions.
In relation to the monarchists, we should highlight the Carlist and the Alfonsine. In the past, the relations were weaker, since the manifesto of Lausanne of 1947.
Structure of Government
Regarding the structure of government, it must be said that Franco was Head of State and Party (the only party was FET de las JONS) and as such was head of government, presided over the National Council and appointed the chairman of the Policy Board. He also enjoyed exceptional powers to enact laws (Fundamental Law).
The political structure of the Francoist state was called the National Movement. Courts were established but also defined as the highest organ of people’s participation but were controlled by the power (as the representatives in Parliament were designated by the power).
In terms of land, the government transmitted power through the civil governors of each province. There was also in each province a military governor.
Another great power of the state’s official trade unions were compulsory, in which employers and employees joined the same union.
Stages of Franco’s Dictatorship
Franco’s dictatorship can be divided into the following stages:
Blue Period (1939-1945)
The early years of the dictatorship are characterized by the attempt to create a fascist state. The government was controlled by military and monarchical Falangists linked to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. During this stage, a series of repressive laws were adopted such as the Law of Political Responsibilities of 1939 or the Repression of Masonry and Communism of 1940, and laws with retroactive effect to prosecute the events from 1934.
In addition, the vertical union was created, as well as the Courts (explained above) and the female section of the Falange (responsible for organizing a social service that women should do, equivalent to military service for males).
It also created the Youth Front that organized camps, rallies, and police training school stages.
Regarding the foreign policy of this stage, we must say that in 1939, after the beginning of World War II, Spain declared itself neutral. In 1940-41, Franco met with Hitler and Mussolini in order to enter the war. Despite the entry into the war not occurring, the Spanish changed the status of neutrality to non-belligerent in 1941. Spain sent a troop of volunteers to fight alongside German troops against Russia; this unit was called the Blue Division. In 1943, Spain returned to neutrality, as the war seemed unfavorable for the Axis powers.
The Rise of the Technocrats (1945-1957)
This stage changed the image of the system to approach the countries that won World War II.
The Government at this stage was composed of ministers from Catholic institutions. Furthermore, it was in these years that a series of Fundamental Laws were enacted: The Jurisdiction of the Spanish (1945), intended as a sort of Bill of Rights, the Law of Succession (1947) which provided for the monarchy as a form of future government, and the Law of Principles of the National Movement (1958), which defined the state as monarchical, traditional, and Catholic, away from totalitarianism.
In these years, the first social unrest and political protests against the regime were seen. There were labor strikes and student organizations. Also, new social movements emerged, such as neighborhood associations that opposed the regime. Regarding foreign policy at this time, we should emphasize the isolation of the regime because the Allies viewed Franco with disgust for his support of Germany. In 1946, the UN recommended that all countries withdraw their ambassadors from Spain (only those of friendly regimes such as Portugal remained) and Spain was not allowed to enter the UN. Franco started the Cold War and invoked his anti-communism, which became increasingly more important to powers like the U.S. Spain was not admitted into NATO. Finally, Spain was admitted into international organizations such as FAO and UNESCO. This signaled the end of isolation and the UN allowed Spain to enter. In 1953, Spain signed the Concordat of the Holy See, which cemented the alliance with the Church.
The Institutionalization of the Regime (1957-1969)
In this stage, which opened with an economic and social crisis, the government was remodeled (1957), and men from the Catholic institution Opus Dei (technocrats) entered the government as ministers. They began a reorientation of economic policy based on the abandonment of autarky.
In 1964, the celebration of the “25 years of peace” introduced the welfare and development of the achievements that legitimized the regime. At this stage, the technocrats, with Carrero Blanco as a supporter in the government, managed to prevail while the Falange was definitely marginalized (beginning the formation of the bunker). At this stage, in addition, the following laws were enacted: Basic Law of the State (1967), which clarified the functions of the organs of state, introduced new laws and modified other fundamental laws; the Press Law (1966); the Legal System; the Education Law (1970), which reformed the education system from primary to university; and the Trade Union Law (1971). In 1969, Franco designated Juan Carlos de Borbon as his successor.
Regarding foreign policy, it must be said that Spain attempted to join the EEC since 1962. The entry into the EEC was denied due to the dictatorial nature of the regime (suppression of participants in the “Conspiracy of Munich”).
The Failure of the Apertura (1969-1975)
In this stage, the outbreak of the Matesa affair led to the formation of a new government in 1969, dominated by Carrero Blanco, with the aim of openness. A new government (1973) appointed Carrero Blanco as Prime Minister; he would disappear in an ETA attack in December of that year. Against this situation, in 1974, a new government was formed, headed by Arias Navarro. This attempted a tentative opening of the regime (the spirit of February 12). It soon became clear that the promised reforms were very restrictive, so it was rejected by all. During 1974-75, Franco’s illnesses, tension with the Church, and pressure from the opposition would create serious difficulties.
Finally, Franco died on November 20, 1975, leaving a system in deep crisis.