Political, Economic, and Social Transformation in Francoist Spain (1959-1975)

Posted on Jul 31, 2024 in History

ITEM 21. THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN FRANCOIST SPAIN (1959-1975)

1. Institutional Development and Internal Struggles for Power

Despite profound economic and social changes during the sixties, immobility and a lack of significant political change characterized the period. However, some new elements emerged: the resurgence of nationalist tensions and the emergence of ETA terrorism. In 1959, a group of youths left the PNV and created ETA, Euzkadi ta Askatasuna. This new radical nationalist organization decided to implement terrorist tactics a few years later. Labor disputes increased from 1961 onwards. The claims of the strikes ranged from labor issues to political complaints. The regime’s response to any request for change continued to be repression.

Two examples will suffice:

In 1963, Julian Grimau, an underground Communist Party member, was executed for crimes committed during the Civil War. International protests were widespread.
In 1962, after Spain applied to join the EEC, a group of liberal right-wing representatives living in exile met in Munich. They asked that Spain not be admitted until it transitioned into a democratic country based on political freedoms. The Francoist press organized a massive scandal against what came to be known as the Conspiracy of Munich.

While the regime implemented small and inadequate legislative changes:

The 1966 Press Law, adopted by Manuel Fraga, did not represent any significant progress.
The 1967 Organic Law of the State, the last of the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, was intended to recapitulate all previous Fundamental Laws. The regime claimed it as the final Spanish “constitution”.

Due to his age, Franco had to name a successor. In 1969, Juan Carlos de Borbon, the grandson of Alfonso XIII, was appointed. The dictator’s advanced age and increasing pressure from the opposition led to the formation of two tendencies within the regime: the so-called “openings” that defended the need for small reforms in a democratic, parliamentary system, and the so-called “bunker” where the most extreme and violent elements opposed to any change were grouped. The division between them took place in 1969 with the Matesa scandal.

In 1973, Carrero Blanco was appointed Prime Minister and Carlos Arias Navarro Minister of Governance. ETA carried out its largest attack, killing Carrero Blanco in Madrid. His death caused a significant problem for Franco. After his death, Franco appointed Carlos Arias Navarro as Prime Minister, and technocrats were removed from power. Finally, on November 20, 1975, Franco died, leaving a collapsed state.

2. International Relations

As for the Spanish possessions in Africa:

Equatorial Guinea became independent (1968).
Ifni was ceded to Morocco in 1969.
The Sahara’s independence was blocked by Carrero Blanco until the Moroccan King Hassan II organized the Green March, claiming the Spanish Sahara. As Franco’s regime was nearing its end, the government relented and, violating a UN mandate, ceded its former colony to Morocco and Mauritania.

The Catholic Church’s renewal at Vatican II led to estrangement from the Franco regime. The confrontation with the Church reached unexpected levels. Agreements with the U.S. were maintained, and Spain applied for membership in the EEC in 1962. However, due to the Conspiracy of Munich in 1962, this was not achieved. Still, a series of favorable trade agreements were signed with some European countries. Franco’s repressive policies, from the Grimau trial to the Trial of Burgos, triggered international protests.

3. The Strengthening of Opposition

The late sixties and early seventies were marked by strong growth in opposition. The regime’s response was repression. The political police, the Brigada Político-Social, used torture in police stations. Opponents of the regime were tried by a court set up to manage repression, the Court of Public Order. The first attack by ETA took place during this period. The most critical moment was the celebration in 1970 of the so-called Trial of Burgos before a military court. Nine ETA members were sentenced to death, triggering protests.

Different political groups adapted differently to Franco’s repression and the evolution of Spanish society. The PSOE became a weak and divided party, the PCE became the leading opposition party, and the anarchists and Republicans disappeared. Liberal opposition emerged at the end of 1962. The Workers’ Commissions, created by the Communist Party, focused on harnessing legal problems.

In the late 60s and 70s, several social changes occurred, and Franco’s health deteriorated, facilitating the emergence of activities against the dictatorship. Some protests were:

The labor movement, organized around the CCOO and encouraged by the PCE, evolved from labor claims to political awareness.
Nationalist movements were strengthened in various social strata of Catalonia.
The student movement and student protests spread, achieving significant social impact.
The Catholic movement, which collaborated with opposition parties and the labor movement.

In the final moments of the dictatorship, the opposition decided to form alliances. First, they created the Democratic Junta of Spain (1974), and in 1975, the Platform of Democratic Convergence. The union of these two alliances gave birth to Democratic Coordination. Ultimately, they could not defeat the regime, but these opposition movements created groups against the dictatorship that would appear after Franco’s death and be key to the transition to democracy.

ITEM 22. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE (1959-1975)

Between 1960 and 1972, Spain experienced strong economic growth, known as the “Spanish miracle” or “development.”

International Context

Cold War and Vietnam War (1958-1975).
Birth of the EEC, European Economic Community in 1957, joined by Denmark, Ireland, and the UK in 1973. The requirements for membership of the EEC were: a democratic, free-market economy that respected human rights. Negotiations for Spain to join the EEC began but were hampered by the regime’s authoritarian character.

1. Stabilization Plan and Economic Growth Factors

The Stabilization Plan was designed by the technocrats of Opus Dei. Agreed upon by the government in 1957, this economic plan was developed following the guidelines of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It aimed to liberalize the economy, ending a period of autarky and interventionism. Government spending and state intervention were reduced. The economy also opened up to foreign capital.

The factors contributing to this dramatic growth came from four sources:

Foreign loans and investments.
Remittances sent by Spanish emigrants from Germany, France, or Switzerland.
Foreign currency left by European tourists who came to Spain seeking sun and beaches.
Increased imports and exports in the 1960s.

The consequences were seen over time: there was a recession, reducing wages and increasing unemployment. However, in the 1960s, the economy recovered.

The Economic Development of the Sixties

The period 1961-1973 was marked by rapid growth in the industry and services sectors. The economy opened up to the outside world, and foreign investments began to flow in. The many economic problems due to the balance of payments deficit were offset by income generated by tourism. To control economic growth, the government approved Development Plans (1964-1972), which consisted of economic policy planning. The country set objectives for the industry that would be reviewed every four years.

Some of these objectives were:

Encourage the development of industry in geographical areas where none existed, known as “Poles of Development”.

The economy continued to grow, but planning did not work as intended:

Development was uneven across economic sectors: the automobile industry developed, the agricultural sector was mechanized, etc.
A growing imbalance emerged between different regions: Catalonia, Madrid, and the Basque Country concentrated half of the country’s production. There was an economic downturn in the regions of Castile, Andalusia, and Extremadura.
Private banking controlled the economy and concentrated economic power.
Dependence on the external economic situation led to the 1973 oil crisis, which affected all of Europe.

2. Demographic Trends

After the hard years of the postwar period, the sixties brought about rapid social change:

There was rural-urban migration and emigration to Western Europe. Many Spaniards moved to countries like France, Germany, and Switzerland for jobs that the natives did not want.
Industrial development led to the emigration of rural labor to cities and to Europe, and agriculture modernized.

Emigration had a positive impact by reducing unemployment, but it led to differences in wealth between different regions of the country. There was a population increase, reducing the mortality rate and maintaining the birth rate. The government increased spending on public services to meet the needs of the population, but public services remained poor: the number of schools was insufficient, some hospitals were created but not enough, new homes were needed, etc.

The Consumer Society

Despite its limitations, economic development brought about the emergence of a consumer society in Spain: people began to use appliances, own family cars, etc. This society had greater mobility and access to more information, leading to a different mentality, contrary to the traditionalism of the system:

Progressive relaxation of the importance of the Church and social relationships.
New habits and new patterns of relationships between the sexes emerged as women joined the workforce.
New fashions and customs arrived through tourism.

Agriculture’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product declined.

3. The Oligarchy, the Middle Classes, the World of Work

In the 1960s, Spain almost doubled its national income, consumption improved, and the welfare of Spanish society increased (with the adoption of the Framework Act on Social Security, 1963). However, Francoist Spain was characterized by a shortage of public housing and social services such as hospitals and schools. This was due to a tax system based on indirect taxes that did not aim to redistribute income. Consequently, social differences increased:

The working class grew: workers in the industry and services sectors became more specialized and had greater social mobility.
New urban middle classes appeared, consisting of professionals, civil servants, and employees.
The upper classes were a minority but held much power and influence: the oligarchy lost power, the industrial bourgeoisie grew, and the senior military maintained their power.

Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom

. This law was intended to recapitulate all previous Fundamental Laws. The regime claimed it as the final “constitution” española.Franco had to name a successor because of his age. In 1969, Juan Carlos de Borbon, the grandson of Alfonso XIII, was appointed successor .. The advanced age of the dictator and the increasing pressure from the opposition led to the formation of two tendencies within the regime: the so-called“openings” that defended the need for small reforms in a democratic, parliamentary, and so-called “bunker” where are grouped the most extreme and violent, opposed to any change. The division between them took place in 1969 with the scandal of mates. In 1973, Carrero Blanco was appointed prime minister and minister Carlos Arias Navarro Gobernación.Además, ETA took the largest hit, killed Carrero Blanco in Madrid and his death caused a problem for Franco. After his death Franco appointed prime minister Carlos Arias Navarro and technocrats were removed from poder.Finalmente, 20 November 1975, Franco died, leaving a collapsed State. 2. International relations. As for the Spanish possessions in Africa:Equatorial Guinea became independent (1968). Ifni is ceded to Morocco in 1969. Sahara’s independence will be blocked by Carrero Blanco to the Moroccan King Hassan II organized the Green March, claiming the Western Sahara españ ol. At the time of initiating the agony of Franco, the government relented and, violating a UN mandate, Spain ceded its former colony to Morocco and Mauritania.La renovació No Cato lica Church at Vatican II led estrangement from the Church and the Franco moan ré. The confrontation with the Church came to ends that were not thought antes.Se years kept the agreements with the U.S. and applied for membership in the EEC in 1962. (Conspiracy of Munich in 1962), is not achieved, but a series of favorable trade agreements with some countries europeos.La Franco’s repressive policies, since the process Grimau to the Trial of Burgos, triggerNo international protests .3. The strengthening of an OS n.Los oposició late sixties and early seventies were marked by strong growth in the fable oposició No factories. The repressive No was the answer. Tica political police, the Brigade Polí tico-Social, applied as torture in police stations. Opponents of the regime were tried by a tribunal set up to run the repression, the Court of Public Order. So there was the first attack by ETA. The moment of greatest importance was the celebration in 1970 of so-called Trial of Burgos before a military court. Nine ETA members were sentenced to death and this triggered protestas.Los different political groups have adapted differently to the repression of Franco and the evolution of Spanish society. The PSOE became a weak and divided party, the PCE became the main opposition party and the anarchists and Republicans desaparecieron.La oposicióion of the Liberals appeared at the end of 1962 born Dictadura.En the Workers’ Commissions, created by the Communist Party, which is based on harnessing the problems legales.A late 60s and the 70s there were several social changes and Franco was near death, which facilitated the emergence of activities against the dictatorship. Some protests were the labor movement, organized around CC.OO. and encouraged by the PCE, rose from labor claims to political awareness Franco, the nationalist movements were strengthened in various social strata of Catalonia and the student movement and student protests spread reached significant social impact, and the Catholic movement that helped with the opposition parties and the movement obrero.es the final moments of the dictatorship of the opposition decided to hold alliances. First they created theDemocratic Junta of Spain (1974), in 1975 the Platform of Democratic Convergence and the union of these two alliances born Democratic Coordination. Ultimately, it could not defeat the regime and opposition movements to create groups against dictatorship, auq appear after Franco’s death and that would be key to the transition of democracy. ITEM 22. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE (1959-1975). Etween 1960 and 1972, Spain will see strong economic growth, known as the “Spanish miracle” or “development.” International context: Cold War and Vietnam War (1958-1975). Birth of the EEC, European Economic Community in 1957and Denmark, Ireland and the UK in 1973. The requirements for membership of the EEC were: a democratic, free market economy and respecting human rights. The commencement of negotiations to join the EEC but were hampered by the regime’s authoritarian character. 1. Stabilization Plan and growth factors económico.El Stabilization Plan was designed by the technocrats of Opus Dei,

that the government had agreed in 1957, this economic plan was developed following the directions of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). He tried to liberalize the economy, ending a period of autocratic and interventionist. Reduced government spending and reduced state intervention. Economy also expanded into the capital exterior.Los for this dramatic growth come from four sources: Loans and investments extranjeras.Divisas Spanish emigrants sent from Germany, France or Spain Suiza.Divisas left in European tourists who come to Spain looking for sun and playa.Aumento of imports and exports in the years 60.Las consequences were seen in some time: there was a recession, reducing wages, increasing unemployment … but in the 60s the economy recovers. The economic development of the sixties. The period 1961-1973 was marked by rapid growth of industry and services sectors. The economy opens to the outside and start making investments extranjeras.Los many economic problems due to lack of payments, were offset by the income made under the control turismo.Para economic growth, the government approved Development Plans (1964 -1972), which consisted of economic policy planning país sets objectives for the industry that would be reviewed every four years. Some of these objectives was to: encourage the development of industry in those geographical areas where none existed, known as “Poles of Development”. The economy continued to grow but planning did not work: The development will be uneven economic sectors: the the automobile industry develops, the field is machined … Growing imbalance between different regions: Catalonia, Madrid and Basque Country concentrate half of the country’s production. There is an economic downturn the kingdom of Castile, Andalusia and Private Banking Extremadura.La controls the economy and concentrates power económico.Se depends on the external economic situation in 1973 has held the oil crisis that affects all of Europe. 2. demographic trends. After the hard years of the postwar, The sixties brought about a rapid social change: There was a rural-urban migration and Western Europe. Many Spanish moved to countries like France, Germany, Switzerland … for work they did not want the natives. Industrial development led to the emigration of rural labor to cities and to Europe and agriculture modernizó.La emigration brought positive impact as reducing unemployment, but this led to differences in wealth between different regions was a país.Se population increase, reducing the mortality rate and keeping the natalidad.El government increased spending on public services to meet the needs of the population, prompting public services were poor: the number of schools was less to those in need, some hospitals were created but not enough, we needed new homes … The consumer society.Despite their limitations, economic development brought about the emergence of consumer society in Spain: first used appliances, family owned car … This society had greater mobility and had access to more information, what began to be another mentality, contrary to the traditionalism of the system: Progressive relaxation of the importance of social relationship Iglesia.Nuevos habits and new patterns of relationship between the sexes, since he joined the woman in the world of new fashions and customs trabajo.Llegan turismo.En through agriculture is declining Gross Domestic Product .3. The oligarchy, the middle classes, the world of work. In the 60s Spain almost doubled the national income, consumption and improved the welfare of the Spanish society (adopting the Framework Act on Social Security, 1963) . But Franco’s Spain is characterized by a shortage of property pUBLICATIONS AND social services like hospitals and schools. This is because a tax system based on indirect taxes and is not intended that the redistribution of income. So increase the social differences: Growing working class: workers of industry and services sectors are more specialized and have greater mobility social.Aparecen new urban middle classes, consisting of professional people, officials and employed classes ajena.Las high are in the minority but have much power and influence: the oligarchy loses power, it increases the industrial bourgeoisie, the senior military maintain their power … Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom. Set of laws governing the powers of the state during the regime of General Franco. More than a constitution, a charter was granted, since they had not been prepared or approved by elected representatives: Labor Law, 1938. Constitutive Act of the Parliament of 1942. Jurisdiction of the Spanish in 1945. National Referendum Act 1945. Law of Succession to the Head of State, 1947. Law on the Principles of the Movement of 1958. Organic Law of the State of 1967.Escandalo MATES: fraud that a company favored by the government and export credits. The event was exploited by the industry to accuse the group Falangist corrupt technocrat.