Franco’s Spain: Pillars of the Regime and Political Evolution
Franco’s Spain: Basic Principles of the National Movement (1958)
This act, promulgated by the French and hailed by prosecutors, outlined the ideological principles of the regime as permanent and unalterable.
Organic Law of the State (1967)
This “pseudoconstitution” sought to modernize the regime. It strengthened the power of Franco and established a monarchy as a successor “of the national movement.” In 1969, Juan Carlos of Bourbon took the oath before the courts as heir to the Spanish crown.
Social Bases of Franco: The “Families”
Groups that participated in the rebellion of 1936 formed the basis of the “new system.” Historians call these groups “families,” ideological factions gathered around the defense of the regime, vying for power under Franco’s authority. These families can be categorized as follows:
The Army
The army represented the defense of the institutional order. Its political participation was remarkable, and it enjoyed high social prestige. Franco’s army was designed to control the inner workings of the country. The armed forces were crucial for maintaining public order. The military was a closed social group, identified with Franco, whose loyalty was rewarded with senior appointments. Housing, summer homes, and schools isolated them from the rest of the population. Their training in military academies emphasized a conservative nature, far removed from liberalism.
The Falange
The Falange augmented its forces during the civil war, becoming a fundamental political force at the national, provincial, and local levels. Its greatest influence coincided with the early years of the regime. After World War II, its primitive fascist ideals waned, replaced by blind loyalty to the caudillo (a mass-forming apparatus needed in times of perceived international harassment). Franco “seized” the party in 1937, diluting the Falange into the so-called “national movement.”
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church was one of the ideological underpinnings of Franco’s regime. The civil war was framed as a “crusade” against Marxist atheism. In exchange for its support, the Church gained real power, privileges, and imposed the joy of Catholic unity, excluding other religions. Catholicism controlled intellectual life and the education system. The Franco dictatorship is often referred to as National-Catholicism, reflecting the two main ideological features: Spanish nationalism and conservative Catholicism. Two organizations related to the Catholic Church were represented in Franco’s councils of ministers: the National Catholic Association of Propaganda (ACNP) and Opus Dei.
Monarchy
The Carlists were divided between supporters of Don Juan. The first embodied conservative Catholic traditionalism. Supporters of Don Juan, son of Alfonso XIII, supported the scheme but distanced themselves when they realized Franco had no intention of restoring the monarchy. However, some advocated for a “Franco monarchy” embodied in Prince Juan Carlos, who in 1967 was appointed successor to Franco.
Technocrats
The Technocrats appeared in the 1960s. Many were monarchists or members of Opus Dei. Lacking a strong ideology, they focused on generating economic development policy, replacing ideological concerns. These changes could only occur in an authoritarian, but “modernized,” regime. The only thing that united these groups was loyalty to Franco. Therefore, Franco’s regime was not possible without Franco, and after his death, it had to give way to a democratic process.