Franco’s Spain: Dictatorship, Opposition, and Democratic Dawn
Franco’s Dictatorship in Spain (1939-1975)
Rise and Nature of the Francoist Regime
Franco’s dictatorship in Spain (1939-1975) emerged as a consequence of the Spanish Civil War, which the Nationalists won. Francisco Franco was established as the dictator, introducing a military-style dictatorship. This regime represented a deeply conservative reaction against processes initiated during the Second Republic, which were perceived as a threat by conservative elements.
Economic Shifts and Societal Evolution
In the later years of the dictatorship, there was a growing desire within Spain for a democratic system. Franco remained in power despite his advanced age, and his eventual death was anticipated as the catalyst for change. By this time, the regime’s continuation seemed anachronistic, as Spanish society was no longer revolutionary; it had developed a significant middle class and undergone major economic changes, becoming part of the consumer society. Consequently, the political model needed to adapt to the prevailing economic and social realities. This process of adaptation is known as the Transition.
Opposition to Franco’s Authoritarian Rule
Early Resistance and Cold War Dynamics
Opposition to Franco’s regime can be divided into two main periods. The first period, immediately following the Civil War, saw attempts to revive and impose opposition to Francoism. However, this strategy failed, partly due to the onset of the Cold War, which pitted the United States (U.S.) against the Soviet Union (USSR). In 1946, the Allied powers decided against military intervention in Spain, fearing it might lead to a pro-Soviet government, which the U.S. opposed.
The Munich Conference and Unified Opposition
The second period of opposition began around 1962, marked by the Munich Conference. This event brought together various anti-Francoist sectors committed to ending the dictatorship. The conference was convened, in part, because the U.S. wanted to ensure that the post-Franco era would not result in a revolutionary pattern.
Radicalization and Political Violence
Terrorism also emerged during this time. The Francoist regime’s harshness and its suppression of liberal opposition, cutting off ideological avenues for dissent, led more radical sectors to pursue their objectives through acts of terrorism. Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, who was assassinated in 1973, was widely considered Franco’s designated successor. Franco had designed a political system where Carrero Blanco would be a key figure, even more important than the King himself in maintaining the regime’s continuity. Franco died on November 20, 1975.
Spain’s Transition to a Democratic System
Post-Franco Era: Initial Political Moves
After Franco’s death, King Juan Carlos I ascended to the throne, and Carlos Arias Navarro was the Prime Minister. On November 22, 1975, King Juan Carlos I expressed his intention to democratize the country. However, Arias Navarro wished to maintain the Francoist regime. By June 1976, he was forced to resign by the King.
Adolfo Suárez and the Path to Reform
Adolfo Suárez was chosen as the new Prime Minister. Suárez was a supporter of implementing significant changes. In July 1976, the first Law for Political Reform was introduced. This law outlined the process to transition from an authoritarian system to a democracy, operating within the framework of existing Francoist legality. The law was presented to the Francoist Cortes (parliament), debated, and finally approved. This approval effectively signified the ‘suicide’ of the dictatorship, as it paved the way for the democratization of the system.
Key Legislative and Social Reforms
- An amnesty was granted for political prisoners, allowing individuals imprisoned for politically motivated ‘crimes of opinion’ to be released.
- The politico-social brigade (Franco’s political police) was dissolved.
- All political parties, except initially the Communist Party, were legalized, with unions being endorsed later.
- General elections were called for June 15, 1977.
Forging Spain’s New Democratic Constitution
The 1977 Constituent Elections
The constituent elections held on June 15, 1977, were a culmination of this transformation process. Their main objective was to elect representatives tasked with drafting a new constitution. Seven individuals, known as the ponentes (rapporteurs), were to be selected to spearhead this drafting process, reflecting the election outcomes.
Prominent Political Parties and Figures
The winning party was the Unión de Centro Democrático (UCD), led by Adolfo Suárez, which included a broad sector of intellectuals committed to advancing the reform model. Other significant political forces emerging from the election included:
- The Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE)
- The Partido Comunista de España (PCE), led by Santiago Carrillo
- Alianza Popular (AP), led by Manuel Fraga
- The Pacte Democràtic per Catalunya (PDC), associated with Jordi Pujol
- The Partido Nacionalista Vasco (PNV), with Carlos Garaikoetxea
- Fuerza Nueva (FN), led by Blas Piñar
Constitutional Rapporteurs and Consensus
The selection of the seven rapporteurs was achieved through a process of consensus, emphasizing negotiation rather than imposition by any single party. This collaborative approach involved key parties like UCD and PSOE, along with representatives from other groups. Among the UCD members who served as rapporteurs were Miguel Herrero y Rodríguez de Miñón, Gabriel Cisneros, and José Pedro Pérez-Lorca.