Spain-US Relations: From Isolation to Integration
Agreement Between Spain and U.S.
Agreement between the governments of the USA and Spain where several clauses relating to defense and economic aid are collected
Autarky and Isolation (1945 – 1949)
The Allied victory forced the leader to change his address and hide the fascist traits of his politics. There was a relative loss of importance of the Falange. Parallel attempts were made to give a picture closer to Western democracies, and for this, fascist symbolism was abandoned. Two new organic laws were passed: National Referendum Law and Law of Succession to the Head of State.
At the Potsdam Conference, it was decided to close the border, and the start of the blockade was due to end with the fall of the Franco regime. Juan de Borbón published the Manifesto of Lausanne. The UN excluded Spain from the United Nations.
Impact of the Cold War (1950-53)
The beginning of the Cold War had three effects on Spain: the “Spanish question” ceased to occupy the interest it had held in international fora; “anti-fascism” was passed within the Western world to an exclusive and obsessive “anti”; the U.S. began to develop a new anti-Soviet strategy in which all contributing countries were welcome.
All this contributed to the UN lifting the recommendation of withdrawal of ambassadors in 1950, authorizing Spain’s entry into international organizations (FAO, UNESCO, etc.).
International Consolidation (1953-1957)
The new environment allowed the first international agreements, in which the figure of Luis Carrero Blanco stood out. Spain signed the Concordat with the Holy See, where Franco obtained recognition of his regime and reserved the right of presenting bishops, while the Church received significant economic, legal, and educational privileges and defended the religious unity of Spain. The Pact of Pardo was initialed with the U.S.
Spain’s Global Insertion (1957 – 1973)
This period is characterized by stability in foreign policy, abruptly interrupted by the assassination of Prime Minister Carrero Blanco. Notable facts include:
1. Spain’s membership as a full member in the UN and its integration into key international agencies (World Bank, IMF, etc.).
2. Closer cooperation with major European powers and the beginning of negotiations for possible integration into the European Community.
3. The dispute over Gibraltar. Spain unilaterally decreed the closure of all communications with Gibraltar (1969). The blockade was complete and lasted until December 1982.
4. Relations with the U.S. acquired a leading role, evidenced by Eisenhower’s official visit and the renewal of the Spanish-U.S. covenant in 1963.
5. The process of decolonization had two fronts: Morocco and Guinea. For new Moroccan leaders, independence (1956) was incomplete as Sidi Ifni, Sahara, Ceuta, and Melilla were under Spanish sovereignty. In 1959, Equatorial Guinea became a province, and in 1963, its autonomy was recognized.
Global Crisis of Foreign Policy (1973-1975)
Following the assassination of Luis Carrero Blanco, Arias Navarro was appointed prime minister.
1. After the end of the dictatorship of the colonels in Greece and the Carnation Revolution in Portugal (1974), Spain was the only dictatorship in Western Europe.
2. The approval of several death sentences by the Council of Ministers (3 members of FRAP and 2 ETA) led Parliament to pass a tough resolution against Spanish rule.
Another serious problem arose from the Moroccan offensive to achieve the incorporation of Sahara after the Spanish government announced its intention to hold a referendum adopting the principle of self-determination. Hassan II responded by organizing the “Green March,” and on November 14, Arias Navarro signed the Declaration of Madrid, by which Spain abandoned the Sahara.
Peace and International Security: Formula by which the Spanish government adopted the principle that inspired U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War (Truman Doctrine, 1947), supporting “free peoples” against the communist threat. This led to the establishment of U.S. bases in Spain.
Spanish Jurisdiction: Technically, the territory over which Spanish sovereignty extends. Despite Article 1 of the Convention stating that the territory ceded for U.S. bases would be under Spanish sovereignty, the agreement of case 16 (not released) waned the judicial capacity of Spanish courts.
Spanish Government: The Franco regime was a dictatorship, with power concentrated around Franco. The regime attempted to lower its authoritative content through organic democracy, allowing political participation by corporations (family, town, and union) instead of political parties. In 1953, the government (VI after the Civil War, 1951-1956) was presided by Franco, with Carrero Blanco as undersecretary of the presidency and Artajo Martin as Foreign Affairs Minister, who negotiated and signed this agreement.