Spain Under Franco: From Totalitarianism to Technocracy
Spain Under Franco’s Rule
From the time Franco seized power during the Spanish Civil War, he embarked on creating a new totalitarian state. This state, a blend of military dictatorship and traditional Church influence, incorporated elements of Italian Fascism, concentrating all power in Franco.
Establishment of the Franco Regime
This new state emerged from victory in the war and the suppression of all opposition until Franco’s death in 1975. The regime’s establishment began with Franco’s appointment
Read MoreSpanish Transition: From Monarchy to Revolution
War of Independence, Cortes de Cádiz (1808-1814)
Fontainebleau Treaty and French Occupation
The Fontainebleau Treaty, signed by Godoy and Napoleon, aimed to divide Portugal and its overseas territories between France and Spain. French troops entered Spain under the pretense of conquering Portugal, but Napoleon’s true intention was to occupy the entire Iberian Peninsula and install his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as king.
Aranjuez Mutiny
Godoy’s plan to relocate the royal family to Seville was met with
Read MoreSpain in the 1700s: From War of Succession to Enlightened Despotism
The War of Succession and the Treaty of Utrecht
The death of Charles II in 1700, without an heir, triggered the War of Succession between the Bourbons and the Habsburgs. European powers like Holland and England aimed to prevent the emergence of a dominant power. Within Spain, Castile supported the Bourbons, hoping for centralized rule and balanced burden-sharing, while Aragon backed the Habsburgs to preserve its privileges. Charles II had named Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, as his heir.
Read MoreFerdinand VII’s Reign & Spanish American Independence
Ferdinand VII: Absolutism and Liberalism
The Emancipation of Spanish America
The reign of Ferdinand VII (1814-1833) was marked by a constant struggle between liberals and absolutists, with the latter holding power for most of the period. This era can be divided into three distinct phases:
First Period: The Six-Year Absolutist Period (1814-1820)
With the return of Ferdinand VII, absolutism was restored. The Constitution of 1812 was repealed, governing bodies were dissolved, and liberal socio-economic
Read MoreSpain’s 18th & 19th Century Transformations: From Enlightenment to Liberalism
The Crisis of the Old Regime: The Enlightenment’s modernization efforts touched all aspects of Spanish life, but yielded limited success. Enlightened reformism faced criticism from privileged classes and indifference from others. Reformists failed to address widespread poverty, technological backwardness, and land ownership issues. This fostered distrust in change, though it remained limited.
The Impact of the French Revolution: Charles IV inherited the throne in 1788. The French Revolution erupted
Read MorePolitical Instability and the Road to the Spanish Civil War
III. The Black or Right Biennium
Following the right-wing CEDA’s electoral victory, a parliamentary and government collaboration was initiated with the centrist Radical Party. This aimed to “rectify” the previous government’s work and halt initiated reforms. Despite CEDA securing more seats, Lerroux led the government to avoid protests if the suspiciously anti-Republican CEDA came to power. It was believed that CEDA was unprepared to govern.
Decisions taken had a reactionary tone:
- Amnesty for the