Spain Under Franco: Economic Development, Social Change, and Political Crisis (1959-1975)
ITEM 15: The Franco Era: Development and Immobility (1959-1975)
Economic Development
1.1 The Governments of Developmentalism
The governments formed by Franco in 1957 and those of the 1960s marked a sharp turn in direction, transitioning from a first stage dominated by Falangism to a second with the predominance of technocrats. Young economists viewed economic growth as the main guarantee of social stability. A new economic direction was developed with the 1959 Stabilization Plan. Goals included ending
Read MoreIndustrial Revolution: Origins, Development, and Global Impact
The Industrial Revolution
Joint economic and social changes reflecting the shift from agrarian to industrial societies, and from craft to finance. It brought technical changes, increased wealth production, and population growth. The social, political, and colonial effects were profound. The term ‘Industrial Revolution,’ coined in 1880, initially referred to a sudden change in pre-industrial economic structures. Today, we call this process industrialization.
1. The Industrial Scale
Agricultural societies
Read MoreSpain’s Economy: Primary Sector to Regional Disparities
Livestock and Primary Sector
The livestock sector is the largest producer of pork in Spain, making it the world’s fourth largest. Fishing plays a vital economic role. Spain’s forest area covers about 26.3 million hectares, with the Basque Country having the most woods and the Canary Islands the least. The primary sector provides raw materials for the food industry.
The agrifood industry employs 14.3% of Spain’s workforce. Its product distribution significantly impacts the transport sector. Key subsectors
Read MoreExploring the Evolution of Geographic Thought
Vila Valenti
From the consideration of the land or the observation of certain phenomena, almost always keeping in mind a couple of significant comparisons, classifications, and reflections, the planet begins to emerge. A pursued common reflection sometimes starts by looking for a cause. Why does this fact occur or occur precisely at a given place and time? Observation and reflection gain a preponderant role in what we call reflexive geography.
Pragmatic Geography
Geography has frequently sought utilitarian
Read MoreKey Geography Terms and Concepts
Customs Tariff
A regulator of trade adapted to the dynamic changes in international conditions, production, and the country using it.
Metropolitan Area
A region encompassing a central urban city and surrounding satellite cities, functioning as residential, industrial, commercial, and service centers, organized centrally.
Aridity
Absence or lack of moisture.
Archipelago
A large group of islands clustered in a more or less extensive area of the sea.
Balance of Trade
The difference between exports and imports;
Read MoreBiscay Miners’ Struggle in 19th-Century Spain
The Rise of Industrialization in Biscay
In the latter half of the 19th century, Spain began its transformation from a rural to an industrial nation. This complex process was hampered by competition from other European countries that had industrialized earlier. The Industrial Revolution took hold in Catalonia’s textile industry and Biscay’s burgeoning steel industry. Biscay’s high-quality iron ore, easily accessible and close to the sea, fueled this growth.
The Influx of Workers and its Consequences
The
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