Franco’s Spain: Evolution to 1959
Franco’s Spain: Evolution to 1959
Work Charter (1938)
Banned free unions. Union organization, based on the fascist model, was controlled by the Phalange.
Court Constituent Law (1942)
Spaniards Charter (1945)
Theoretical declaration of rights and duties, rooted in traditional and Catholic values. It didn’t grant any political or social rights.
National Referendum Law (1945)
Succession Law (1946)
Declared Spain a kingdom, with Franco retaining the power to choose his successor. This law disappointed monarchists hoping for the Bourbon dynasty’s return.
Post-War Hunger and Repression
Repression
The 1939 Law of Political Responsibilities facilitated harsh post-war repression. Numerous political prisoners led to the establishment of concentration camps across the country, with a high number of executions. This created widespread terror, particularly affecting cities, industrial areas, and the South, and explains the weak opposition for years.
Exterior Policy: Alliance with Fascist Powers During WWII
The Axis defeat after 1942 prompted a shift in Franco’s foreign policy towards reconciliation with the Allies. Serrano Suñer’s dismissal, Franco’s pro-German brother-in-law, underscored this change.
International Isolationism and Regime Changes
Internal Political Conflicts in the 1950s
Following the terror and stagnation of the 1940s, the 1950s saw the first protests. In 1956, university incidents occurred in Madrid between anti-Franco students and SEU members. Barcelona experienced a tram boycott, marking early worker protests. However, opposition remained weak. Crucially, several Opus Dei members joined the government in 1957, initiating the 1959 economic reform, leading to liberalization and the 1960s development. Political immobility was evident with the 1958 approval of the National Movement’s Principles Law, summarizing the regime’s old principles. The end of isolationism was marked by Eisenhower’s 1959 visit.
Spain During Franco’s Dictatorship
Francoism: Political, Economic, and Social Evolution Until 1959
Ideological, Social, and Political Basis
The 1939 regime had clear ideological foundations:
- Concentration of power in Franco: His leadership was central.
- Anti-communism: Essential since the Civil War, reinforced during the Cold War for Western acceptance.
- Anti-parliamentarism and anti-liberalism: Opposition to political freedoms.
- National-Catholicism: The Church legitimized the dictatorship, dominating social life and education, imposing strict morals.
- Defense of homeland unity: Regional autonomy was denied, and languages other than Spanish were forbidden initially.
- Traditionalism: A manipulated view of Spanish history (Reconquest, Empire, Catholic defense).
- Militarism: Dominant military presence (parades, uniforms, anthems, flag).
- Fascist elements: Symbols, uniforms, exaltation of Franco, and political violence. External aspects (fascist salute) were reduced after 1945.
The Social Bases of the Dictatorship
Franco’s regime relied on:
- The financial and landowning oligarchy, who regained power and benefited from economic policies.
- Rural middle classes from the North and Castile, influenced by religion.
Most urban middle and working classes didn’t support the dictatorship. Initial repression, misery, and demoralization prevented dissent. This changed in the 1960s, as economic development fostered consensus, while liberalization strengthened opposition.
Political Bases of the Regime
The dictatorship banned political parties and repressed Republican supporters. In 1937, the only party was FET de las JONS (National Movement). Within the regime, different political factions vied for influence over Franco.
Phalange
Controlled by Franco, its main role was controlling social and economic life through institutions like the Youth Front, Feminine Section, and Union Organization. Essential initially, its influence declined after 1945.
Military
Prestigious and powerful, but subordinate to Franco. Key figures like Carrero Blanco were military.
Catholics
Many leading heads of the dictatorship were members of religious institutions such as the Opus
Dei.
After Vatican II Council the distance among dictatorship and church enlarged.
Monarchists
After the end of the war the Carlists played a secondary role, disappearing as relevant political
foces.
Although Franco denied to offer the Head of the State to don Juan, Alphonse Xlll son, many
monarchists cooperated with the dictatorship, mainly during the first years of the regime.
In the practice all these families had a secondary role because Franco always made impossible
that someone got too much power and looked for an equilibrium to guarantee his own power.
The institutionalization of the regime: the organic laws.
The dictator concentrated all the power in his and, including the constituent. Step by step the
regime started approving different Organic Laws, which were known as the Movements
Fundamental Laws.