Spanish History: Second Republic, Franco Era, and Transition

Posted on Jan 23, 2025 in History

The Second Republic: 1931 Constitution and Reforms (1931-1985)

Topic: The Second Republic: 1931 Constitution and Reforms (1931-1985)

1- Provisional Government

  1. The proclamation of the 2nd Republic, 14 April 1931
  2. 1931 Constitution in December

2- The Reformist Biennium

  1. The reforms programme:
    1. The agrarian reform (Law in September 1932)
    2. The reform of the army
    3. The labour reform (Largo Caballero)
    4. The education reform
    5. The autonomous regions (Statute of Catalonia Sept 1932)
  2. Opposition to the government
    1. The Sanjurjada (1932)
    2. The uprising in Casas Viejas (1933)
    3. Elections November 1933

3- The Government of the Right

  1. The suspension of the reforms
  2. General strike against the government (1934) Asturias
  3. The scandal of Estraperlo (elections Feb. 1936)

4- The Popular Front

  1. Reformist action
  2. Rebellion against the government by the Moroccan army (July 17, 1936)

The Second Republic and the War in the Basque Country (1931-1939)

Topic: The Second Republic and the War in the Basque Country (1931-1939)

1- The Second Republic (1931-1936)

  1. The 1931 Constitution
  2. Projects of autonomy
    1. Eusko Ikaskuntza (1931)
    2. The Lizarra Statute (1931)
    3. Comisiones Gestoras (1932)
  3. The Statute of the Basque Country (1936)

2- The Civil War (1936-1939)

  1. Division of the Basque Country (1936)
    1. Alava and Navarre = Nationals
    2. Biscay and Gipuzkoa = Republicans
  2. Conquest of San Sebastian (1936)
  3. Basque Government and Statute in Biscay (1936)
  4. Fall of Bilbao (1937)
  5. Pact of Santoña


The Creation of the Francoist State (1939-1956)

Topic: The Creation of the Francoist State (1939-1956)

  1. 1st period of Francoism (1939-1950): Postwar
    1. Domestic policy
    2. Foreign policy
      1. In favour of the Axis powers
      2. International isolation (1945-1950)
    3. Economic policy
      1. Autarky
    4. Opposition to the regime (Maquis 1947 strike)

2nd period of Francoism (1950-1960): Liberalization and international acceptance of the system

  1. Foreign policy
      1. End of isolation
      2. Concordat with the Vatican (1953)
      3. Pact of Madrid (1953)
      4. Approval of the entrance of Spain in the UN (1955)
    2. Opposition and social movements
      1. Labour movement
      2. University students
      3. Nationalism
    3. Economic liberalization
      1. Stabilization plan (1959)

Consolidation and Crisis of the Franco Dictatorship (1959-1975)

Topic: Consolidation and Crisis of the Franco Dictatorship (1959-1975)

  1. Introduction

60’s or the desarrollismo

  1. Economy
      1. Development plans
    2. Social and cultural changes
    3. Foreign policy
      1. European Common Market (1957)
    4. Opposition
      1. Munich conspiracy (1962)
      2. Labor movement
      3. Students
      4. Regionalist movements
      5. Church
    5. Stagnation

The crisis of the regime (1970-1975)

  1. Appointment of Juan Carlos as Successor (1969)
    1. Internal struggles
      1. Matesa Affair (1969)
      2. Luis Carrero Blanco
    2. Opposition
    3. Problems of the regime
      1. International oil crisis (1973)
      2. Revolution of the Carnations (1974)
      3. Political initiatives (1974)
    4. Final crisis and the death of Franco (November 1975)


The Franco Dictatorship in the Basque Country (1939-1975)

Topic: The Franco Dictatorship in the Basque Country (1939-1975)

  1. Introduction

Basque Economy

  1. Consequences of the civil war
    1. Slow recovery of the economy during the 40’s
    2. Economic take off
      1. Stabilization plan (1959)
    3. Extraordinary economic development during the 60’s
    4. Deep crisis (1973)
      1. International oil crisis
      2. Terrorism
      3. Political transition full of uncertainties

Political and social situation

  1. Consequences of the civil war
    1. 40’s
      1. Strike of 1947
    2. 50’s
      1. Failed attempts
      2. Creation of ETA (1959)
    3. 60’s
      1. Opposition of students and workers
      2. Huelga de bandas (November 1966- May 1967)
      3. ETA’s activity
    4. 70’s
      1. ETA killed Carrero Blanco (1973)
        1. Burgos Trial (1970)

End of Francoism

The Transition (1975-1985): The 1978 Constitution and the 1979 Gernika Statute

Topic: The Transition (1975-1985): The 1978 Constitution and the 1979 Gernika Statute

  1. Beginning of the process
    1. Juan Carlos King of Spain (1975)
    2. Arias Navarro prime minister
    3. Adolfo Suarez Gonzalez’s appointment (1976)
      1. Liberalizing reforms
      2. First free elections (1977)

The UCD government (1977-1982)

  1. Socioeconomic problems > Moncloa pacts (October 1977)
    1. The 1978 Constitution
      1. 1979 Gernika Statute
      2. Elections March 1979
    2. Suarez’s resignation 1981 > Calvo Sotelo
    3. 23-F coup by Antonio Tejero

Final of the transition

  1. UCD disintegration
    1. 1982 elections
      1. PSOE victory