Spain Under Franco and the Shift to Democracy
Franco’s Dictatorship and Spain’s Transition to Democracy
The Spanish Civil War ended on April 1, 1939, with General Franco’s faction victorious. From 1939 to 1975, the victors imposed a dictatorship led by Franco, which ended with his death.
Political Aspects of Franco’s Regime
Franco’s dictatorship was strongly personalized, with all power concentrated in him. Franco was simultaneously Head of State, Head of Government, Head of the Falange, and the legislature. This dictator did not have a solid intellectual background, and his life had been devoted exclusively to the military. His regime was based on anti-communism, Catholicism, the idea of order and authority, and defending the unity of Spain against separatist and pro-independence ideas.
The internal politics of this stage were based on two fundamental ideas:
- Dismantling the laws of the Second Republic: Political parties and trade unions were banned. In their place, the Spanish Traditionalist Falange was created as the only union. The Statutes of Autonomy of Catalonia and the Basque Country were revoked, leaving a centralized state.
- Replacing Republican legality: Starting in 1942, laws were developed to organize the new regime. In 1947, the Law of Succession was presented and approved by referendum. The highlight of this law was that Franco became Head of State for life, organized a kingdom, and had the power to appoint his successor. The same law determined that the former Head of State would remain in power for life, so the monarchy would return upon the leader’s death. It was not until 1969 that Juan Carlos was appointed as his successor.
Economic Aspects
The worst year after the war was 1945. Until 1944, Spain had strong trade relations with Germany, which imported Spanish raw materials. Collective feeding and food distribution had to be organized. In 1939, food rationing was established, with each family receiving a lot of food every week.
The precarious economic situation began to change in 1950, at the height of the Cold War, when anti-communist sentiment prevailed throughout the Western world. Agreements were signed with the Vatican and the United States. With the 1953 agreements with the U.S., Spain obtained the use of four military bases in return for substantial economic aid. Finally, in 1955, Spain joined the UN. In 1959, a stabilization plan was launched, which meant opening up and modernization. Social security was also introduced.
Social Aspects
Traditional Catholic morality was imposed as a form of social life. The fundamental laws stated that Spain was an officially Catholic country and that the doctrine of the Church was the basis of Spanish law. Franco’s regime was characterized by its regressive nature. Policing and ideological control were established over the population. Customs were strictly controlled, and any public or private expression of criticism of the Franco regime resulted in heavy prison terms.
The Phalanx was the only legal party, and its presence was total in all areas of daily life: municipalities, universities, unions, etc. It also had a women’s branch called the Female Section. The opposition gradually began to reorganize. The 1950s saw the first major acts of political protest, all of which were suppressed.
Franco’s Dictatorship: 1959-1975
This period ends with Franco’s death.
Political and Social Aspects
There was opposition to the regime from different sectors: workers’ committees, universities (as universities were becoming more aware), trade unions, and a sector of the Church that was very democratic, coinciding with John Paul II. The most organized and strongest party was the Communist Party of Spain. It should be noted that these sectors only sought the passage from dictatorship to democracy. These sectors were operating illegally, and if caught, they would go to jail.
In late 1959, ETA was established. It is worth noting that in the 1970s, when everything was at its most violent, Carrero Blanco was assassinated in 1973. Along with ETA, FRAP and GRAPO also engaged in terrorist acts.
While the regime tried to appear more open-handed, its policies remained very restrictive. In other areas, however, there was a desire for “freedom.” In 1966, a law was passed that organized society into an “organic democracy,” with deputies elected in thirds: family, municipal, and union. Another important law was the Press Law. Previously, all publications had to go through a censor who reviewed articles, books, etc. This law eliminated censorship but punished companies that published anything against the regime. Another law was the Law of Religious Freedom. Previously, the population was Roman Catholic, but other religions, such as Islam and Protestantism, began to be accepted. Finally, the Law of Succession was completed in 1969 when Franco appointed Juan Carlos de Borbón as his successor. Shortly before Franco’s death in 1975, King Hassan II of Morocco took advantage of Franco’s weakened state to organize a march of civilians to invade Spanish territory in the Sahara.
Economic Aspects
In the 1960s, the population increased, and living standards improved. There was a significant shift from rural to urban society because people realized the better living conditions in cities. Many moved to Madrid, Catalonia, and the Basque Country. Foreign companies, especially in the automotive industry, invested in Spain. With these new foreign investments, living standards increased, and the middle class grew to 55%. Also noteworthy is the so-called “baby boom,” during which the birth rate increased significantly, with the population growing from 25 million to 35 million in just 33 years.
The level of development was very strong, with economic liberalization, subsidies, foreign investment, and strong migration. Tourism and the tertiary sector developed (restaurants, apartments, construction, etc.). Franco’s policies encouraged the establishment of industries for development, mainly in towns like Huelva and A Coruña, which were poorer areas, and also in Catalonia and the Basque Country to quell nationalist sentiment. Important infrastructure projects were built. Dams were used to harness hydropower and to create irrigation zones in areas that were previously rainfed, and these are still in use today.
In 1973, the oil crisis hit, causing oil prices to rise dramatically. This slowed economic growth and led to a phenomenon that had been irrelevant until then: unemployment. Spanish per capita income exceeded $2,000, whereas in 1960 it had not exceeded $300. There was also a greater educational and cultural level, and poverty and social differences decreased.
The Transition to Democracy
This period spans from Franco’s death on November 20, 1975, until the approval of the Constitution. The Spanish case is part of a universal context in which several European countries experienced the demise of dictatorial regimes and their transformation into democracies. What is truly important and unique about the Spanish process is that there was no immediate break with the past, but rather a reform so thorough that it changed the essential basis of the political system without causing serious social trauma.
Several factors contributed to this:
- High economic, social, and cultural development, with a middle class comprising nearly 55% of the population, which prevented a rupture but allowed for a peaceful transition.
- The existence of a monarchical institution: The institutional decision to open up about the future of Spain upon Franco’s death was to return to being a monarchy. Prince Juan Carlos de Borbón was appointed as Franco’s successor with the title of King and was proclaimed on November 22, 1975, by Franco’s courts.
Juan Carlos I began his reign without departing from the channels marked by Francoist legality but was open to beginning the transformation of the Spanish political system, expressing his desire to be king of all Spaniards.