Franco’s Spain: 1938-1959 Political & Socio-Economic Overview
First Item 10 Franco (1938-1959)
The Franco regime was a unique political system in Spain that began after the Civil War and lasted until 1975. This long period saw Spain experience unprecedented stability, transforming from an agrarian country to an industrial power with a considerable middle class.
Ideological Foundations and Political Developments
The construction of the Franco regime is closely related to Franco’s personality and ideology. The regime’s ideology was built from Franco’s basic concepts, along with contributions from the army, the Church, and the Falange Traditionalist Communion, which was a smoothed version of Italian fascism and, to a lesser extent, German Nazism.
Ideological Foundations:
- Spanish Nationalism: The nation was conceived as a community based on racial, linguistic, religious, historical, and cultural unity. Military spirit emphasized hierarchy, discipline, austerity, authoritarianism, virility, and strong repression. It was strongly anti-communist and advocated for national unity and public order.
- National-Syndicalism: A Falangist/fascist contribution based on revolutionary syndicalism with Catholic components. It promoted a State Association where class struggle was surpassed by the vertical union, bringing together employers and workers organized by production branches.
- National-Catholicism: Reflected in the defense of traditional Catholic religion and morality as the essence of Spain. Conservative Catholicism was a major ideological source, promoting puritan morality, traditionalism, anti-liberalism, and drawing from the mystical atmosphere of the Inquisition and the Counter-Reformation.
- Denials: Francoist ideology included frustrations such as anti-liberalism and an aversion to liberalism, aiming to overcome the confrontation between these trends.
Political Developments
Franco’s dictatorship lasted until 1975, going through several phases:
Unified Command
The Moroccan army’s success, under Franco’s command, led to the concentration of power in Franco. A Technical Board of the State was appointed to assist him. The Decree of Unification in 1937 merged the Falange and Traditionalist Communion into the Traditionalist Spanish Falange de las JONS under Franco’s command.
Institutionalization of Authoritarianism
This stage aimed to consolidate power and eliminate political opposition after winning the Civil War. The Technical Board of State was replaced by a government with Franco as head of state and government. Laws such as the Political Accountability Act, the Special Law against Masonry and Communism, and the Law on State Security were enacted. In 1942, the Law on the Establishment of the Spanish Parliament was created with an advisory role.
Conversion to Democracy
Facing international isolation after World War II, Franco sought to distance Spain from fascist imagery and introduce new legislation. The Jurisdiction of the Spanish in 1945 and the Municipal Act, which allowed the election of Councillors by universal suffrage, were introduced, creating a system called Basic Democracy. Franco remained Chief of State for life, with the right to appoint a successor.
Foreign Policy
During World War II, Franco initially adopted a policy of neutrality. In 1942, as Germany’s position weakened, Spain approached the Allies. Post-war, Spain faced international rejection and was excluded from the UN. However, the Cold War led to the US approaching Franco, resulting in the return of foreign ambassadors.
Socio-Economic Development
In 1939, Spain was ruined, with widespread hunger and need. The economy was influenced by international isolation and based on autarchy, aiming for economic self-sufficiency. This policy failed due to insufficient resources and technology. US aid provided some relief, but economic problems persisted.
Society
The regime enforced rigid social control through the Falange and censorship. The social structure was heavily influenced by the war’s outcome, consolidating power in traditional hegemonic classes, including the landed oligarchy, service class (Falangists and Carlists), middle-class conservatives, the army, impoverished peasants, an emerging urban proletariat, and a small urban middle class.
Opposition to the Regime
Political dissent was illegal and sporadic. During the Civil War and after, opposition groups like the maquis (anarchists and communists) continued armed resistance. The failed guerrilla invasion in the Aran Valley in 1944 showed the difficulty of maintaining armed struggle. Internal disagreements existed between Carlist monarchists and Falangists, leading to the removal of dissenting leaders.