Franco’s Spain: From Dictatorship to Transition (1939-1975)
The Franco Era (1939-1945)
Francisco Franco, born in Ferrol in 1892, entered the Military Academy of Toledo at fourteen and was later sent to Africa. There, he developed his military vocation and commitment, playing a key role in creating the Legion. Before the Civil War, Franco, a man of strong religious beliefs, criticized politicians for neglecting the army, fueled by anti-communism and extreme nationalism. Franco should be viewed as a soldier rather than a politician, using the military to gain
Read MoreCold War and Decolonization: Global Conflicts and Independence
The Cold War was a 20th-century confrontation, lasting from 1945 (end of World War II) until the USSR’s collapse and communism’s fall between 1989 (Berlin Wall) and 1991 (USSR coup). It involved the Western-capitalist bloc led by the United States and the Eastern-communist bloc led by the Soviet Union.
This confrontation unfolded politically, ideologically, economically, technologically, militarily, and informatively.
Neither bloc took direct action against the other, hence the term “Cold War.” These
Read MoreArgentina’s Political Turmoil: Frondizi, Peronism, and Military Interventions
The Pact Between Perón and Frondizi
Peronism agreed to renounce political candidates for presidential elections. Faced with the concrete outcome of the vote, Peronism sought the liberation of its adherents, expressing their repudiation of the dictatorship that ousted President Perón. For his part, Frondizi committed to reinstating all the social, political, and economic gains made by the people, which had been curtailed after the revolution.
Frondizi and Developmental Experience
The government held
Read MoreArgentina’s Transformation: Immigration, Industrialization, and Global Integration
Modern Argentina
After the Battle of Pavón and Mitre’s presidency, Argentina began a period of national state formation. This era focused on institutional evolution and the creation of a socio-economic structure aimed at modernizing Argentina and integrating it into the global economy.
During this period, various social phenomena transformed Argentina’s political and cultural landscape. However, some signs of unrest persisted, which would later intensify.
Immigration Policy in Argentina
Encouraging
Read MoreSecond Spanish Republic: Largo Caballero & Negrín Governments, Social Revolution
Largo Caballero’s Government (September 1936)
On September 5, 1936, Francisco Largo Caballero, secretary general of the UGT, formed a new government composed of Republicans, Socialists, and, for the first time, Communists. Facing the impending attack on Madrid, the government relocated to Valencia. Caballero aimed to create a “great anti-fascist alliance” against the rebels. However, military failures intensified internal conflicts regarding the management of the revolutionary process and the war.
Read MoreFranco’s Spain (1959-1975): Political & Socio-Economic Transformation
Item 11: The Second Franco (1959-1975)
Political Developments
Stage 1: Late Francoism (1959-1973)
Features: Vestiges of Falangists disappeared, and political dominance shifted to Opus Dei technocrats. The regime modernized to ensure continuity.
Evolution:
- 1962: Franco reshuffled ministers, favoring technocrats, and appointed Agustín Muñoz Grandes as vice president.
- 1966-1967: The new Organic Law of the State was approved, separating Head of State and President of the Government, settling the monarchy,