Franco’s Spain: Dictatorship, Economic Shifts, and Political Unrest

Posted on Jan 27, 2025 in History

Background:

  • State Omnipotence: Rejection of separation of powers, introduction of an organic democracy system with courts subordinated. Power concentrated in one person.
  • Dominant Role: Only part of the Falange and Traditionalist JONS, directed by Franco, held power.
  • Suppression of all political parties and elections.
  • Devaluation of women’s rights.
  • Persecution of minorities.
  • Exaltation of the head of state and the figure of the dictator.
  • The Catholic Church supported the regime.
  • Exaltation of nationalism.
  • Distrust of reason.
  • Support from the Phalanx, Carlists, and the military.

Stages of Franco’s Regime:

  1. 1939-1951: Ideological fascism, economic autarky, repression marked by exile and underground resistance.
  2. 1951-1971: Liberalization and economic expansion, social change and cultural resistance.
  3. 1971-1975: Systemic crises.

Economic Policies and Shifts:

1955:

  • External liberalization: opening to trade and price circulation.
  • Internal restrictions: rationing and power restrictions.
  • Continued control of tariffs, production, and foreign investment.

Post-1956:

Loss of American aid, currency shortages, foreign trade deficit, and inflation led to a financial crisis and popular unrest.

1957:

  • Peseta devaluation and fixed exchange rate.
  • Salary freeze.
  • Fiscal reform: abandonment of autarky.
  • Entry into international economic organizations like the OEEC, IMF, and World Bank.

1959:

  • Encouragement of foreign investment.
  • Unification of the peseta exchange rate (depreciation).
  • Efforts to stop the foreign trade imbalance.
  • Boost to exports and curb on imports.
  • Control of public spending.
  • Wage freeze.
  • Inflation control.
  • Stabilization of the economy.
  • Increase in unemployment.
  • Disappearance of traditional economic activities.
Agriculture and Industry:
  • Agriculture: Mechanization, improved seed selection, and better marketing and distribution methods.
  • Industry: Low wages, low labor unrest, low prices of food and petroleum, reduced fiscal pressure, and expectations of rapid growth in demand.
Social and Political Changes:
  • 1966: Press Act: no prior censorship but penalties for violations.
  • 1967: Free practice of religion.
  • Compulsory schooling up to 14 years.
  • 1970: Elimination of the Church’s monopoly.
  • 1963: Law of the Social Security Database.

Political Unrest and Transition:

Assassination of Carrero Blanco, replaced by Arias Navarro.

1974-1975:

  • Execution of anarchist Salvador Puig Antich.
  • State of emergency in the Basque Country.
  • Persecution of political dissidents and union members.
  • Tensions with the Vatican over the Bishop of Bilbao.
  • Franco temporarily ceded power to Prince Juan Carlos due to illness.
  • Restrictive policies on associations.
  • Arrest of the leadership of the Democratic Military Union.

Political Parties:

  • Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSUC): Closely linked to Workers’ Commissions.
  • Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC): Driven by Jordi Pujol.
  • Socialist Democratic Rally of Catalonia (RSDC): Led by Joseph Pallach.
  • Convergencia Socialista de Catalunya (CSC): Led by John Reventós.

Terrorism and International Relations:

  • New Terrorism Act: 5 death sentences, provoking international protests and boycotts.
  • Attack on the Spanish embassy in Lisbon.
  • Regime isolation and patriotic demonstrations.
  • Polisario Front: Fought for independence.
  • Spain drafted a statute of autonomy for the Sahara and called for a referendum on self-determination.
  • King Hassan II organized a march to occupy the Sahara.

Tripartite Treaty of Madrid:

Signed on November 14 by Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania, leading to Spain’s withdrawal and the transfer of territory.

November 20, 1975: End of the Franco era.