Franco’s Spain: Economic History and Impact
**Franco’s Economy**
Autarky (1939-1950)
After General Franco won the Spanish Civil War, his regime was dictatorial. Franco had economic control of all three stages of Spain. The first stage was Autarky (1939-1950). During this period, the modernization process was halted.
Major Depression (1950-1960)
The second stage was a Major Depression (1950-1960). The economy began to improve, but it did not reach the levels of other European countries. The characteristics of democracy were not accepted in Francoist
Read MoreWorld War II: Axis Expansion and Allied Victory
The World at War: The Expansion of the Axis Powers
In the early 1930s, fascist powers united in the “Comintern” covenant, which heralded the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo axis, and began an escalation of aggression:
- Japan invaded Manchuria and started the first phase of the Second World War by invading China.
- Italy conquered Abyssinia and Albania.
- Germany annulled the Treaty of Versailles and restored its army.
- The intervention of Hitler and Mussolini in the Spanish Civil War was the prelude to the Second World
Rise of Republicanism and Reign of Amadeo I in Spain
The Rise of Republicanism in Spain
The New Political Landscape
Since 1868, four major political trends have emerged in Spain. On the right, the Carlists advocated for maintaining the monarchy and traditional Catholicism. Also on the right were the Moderates, loyal to Isabel II, who wanted her return to the throne. They had the support of the agrarian bourgeoisie, led by Antonio Cánovas del Castillo.
In the center was a coalition of Unionists, Progressives, and Monarchist Democrats, promoting democratic
Read More19th Century Europe: Transformations and Political Shifts
Postdam Conference
In the summer of 1945, representatives of the USA (Truman), the USSR (Stalin), and Britain (Atlee) met again at the Postdam Conference.
- Germany was divided into four zones: USA, USSR, Britain, and France. The Soviet zone was also divided into four zones.
- It was established that Nazi war criminals would be tried at the Nuremberg Trials.
- The amount of German war reparations and Poland’s borders were determined.
Old Regime Society
Privilege: The clergy and nobility enjoyed major advantages
Read MorePost-WWII Global Economy: Institutions, Welfare, and Cold War Impact
The New Global Economic Institutions
The Global Background
- The prevalence of the U.S. and the economic problems in Europe after World War II.
- Rise in the efficiency of mass production and improvement in product quality.
- Capitalism vs. Communism: The Cold War between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.
The Creation of a New International Financial System
- Bretton Woods Conference (1944)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- It regulates the exchange rates between currencies, proposing monetary policies and lending hard
Spanish Civil War: International Impact and Aid
The International Dimension of the Spanish Civil War
Many in the Republican band considered it suicidal to resist the politics of President Negrín after the fall of Catalonia. On February 1st, in a desperate attempt to secure an honorable peace, Casado, with the support of the CNT and sectors of the PSOE led by Besteiro, formed the Defense Council in Madrid. It did not recognize the authority of the government of the Republic and began negotiations with Franco to try to obtain an honorable peace
Read More