Glossary of Terms Related to Francoist Spain
Franco
Dictatorial regime imposed in Spain by General Franco between 1939 and 1975. Its features were the accumulation of legislative and executive power in the military commander, the outright rejection of any liberal or Marxist approach, the imposition of a centralist political model, and the dominance of one party (Falange).
FRAP
Symbol of the Revolutionary Anti-Fascist and Patriotic Front, a left-wing underground formation that carried out several attacks in the final years of the dictatorship and the beginning of democracy.
Maquis
The name originates from France, where it referred to resistance fighters who fought against Nazi domination. As Spanish participation was significant, the name became used by militants after the global conflict who opposed Franco while waiting for international support and a popular uprising. Although Communists had greater participation in their ranks, there were also socialists and anarchists.
Green March
A peaceful invasion of the Sahara by King Hassan II of Morocco in October 1975. Faced with a hypothetical conflict, Spain faltered and on November 14 signed the Madrid Agreement, which involved the handover of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania.
National Movement
The name given during the Franco regime to the totalitarian organization that claimed to be the sole channel for participation in Spanish public life. It included the single party, FET de las JONS, the controls of Vertical Unions, and all public offices of the State, county councils, and municipalities.
Catholic Nationalism
A political doctrine in Franco’s Spain characterized by the close relationship between the Catholic Church and the State. It was definitively established after the signing of the Concordat with the Vatican in 1953.
National Syndicalism
The doctrine and political ideology of the Spanish Falange, which was adopted by the Franco dictatorship in its early years. It is based on fascist totalitarianism, traditionalism, nationalism, and vertical unionism.
Operation Ogre
A terrorist action planned by ETA on December 20, 1973. Its objective was the assassination of Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, Prime Minister since June 1973 and one of Franco’s staunchest supporters.
Opus Dei
A Catholic association founded in 1928 by the Aragonese priest, Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer. Its members perform tasks of the apostolate, trying to reach spiritual perfection and defending the importance of the professional field as a basic space in which to develop activities and Christian virtues. The role of this organization was significant in the various governments of Franco that followed between 1957 and 1974.
Moncloa Pacts
Considered an essential part of the dismantling of Francoism and the beginning of the construction of democracy in Spain. They were signed in October 1977 by most of the parliamentary political forces. They contained two basic agreements: on one side, the reform and reorganization of the economy and, on the other, a program of legal and political actions to defend the most basic freedoms and rights.
Marshall Plan
A program of economic aid undertaken by the U.S. government to assist in the reconstruction of Europe after the end of World War II. With this intervention, the U.S. government provided more than 20 billion dollars to different European countries between 1947 and 1952.
The only country specifically excluded was Franco’s Spain, while Stalin rejected the aid and prevented the communist bloc countries controlled by the USSR from adhering to this plan.
Development Plans
Promoted by technocratic ministers of the regime between 1964 and 1975, they attempted to use the resources from tourism and remittances sent by migrants to proceed with the strengthening of the industrial sector, improving the structure of enterprises and increasing their production. And despite the fact that they helped turn the country into the tenth economic power, it is no less true that they fostered growth that only benefited certain regions and caused major environmental disturbances.
Attorney
Member of Parliament during the Franco dictatorship. In 1943, of the 424 attorneys, 126 were members of the National Council of the FET de las JONS, 141 were leaders of the Spanish Trade Union Organisation, and 102 were mayors of major cities. Attorneys were also ministers and presidents of leading institutions, such as the Chief Justice and the presidents of universities. Finally, professional organizations elected seven representatives, and Franco directly appointed 50.
Rationing
Regulation exerted by the authorities on food and other goods. The State distributed food among the population through family cards owned by each household. This practice would be common until the 1950s.
Referendum
Direct consultation with citizens to make a decision and express, through voting, their acceptance or rejection of a policy proposal by the government.
Vertical Union
The official union during the Franco regime, distinguished by the fact that both workers and employers were included in the same organization. In fact, it was not really a union, but rather a system of control of the working class.
Tardofranquismo
The name given to the last years of the dictatorship (1969-1975). This period was marked by the internal decay of the regime, the increasing alienation of the Church, and enormous social unrest stemming from a critical economic situation.
Technocracy
This theory considers that the main problems of contemporary societies cannot be solved by political-ideological measures but by technical solutions and, therefore, advocates the dominance of an elite comprised of experts and specialists. According to this proposal, technocrats were trained by their superior knowledge to seize power and become the leading group, defending conservatism in politics and modernization in the economy.
TOP
Symbol of the Public Order Court, a key part of the fight against the opposition by the Franco regime during the period between 1963 and 1977. It was a special jurisdiction for crimes against national security, including conspiracy, illegal propaganda and meetings, or peaceful demonstrations.
Transition
The historical process that began in Spain in 1975 and that meant moving from a dictatorial political model to a democratic one. Taking place between 1975 and 1982, it has some hallmarks: its implementation from within the same system by certain aperturista sectors, the important role played at all times by the Crown, and its gradual and peaceful nature, the result of dialogue and consensus.