The Francoist State: Creation, Ideology, and Evolution

Posted on May 10, 2024 in History

The Creation of the Francoist State

The creation of the Francoist state extended from the end of the Spanish Civil War on April 1, 1939, until the death of Francisco Franco Bahamonde on November 20, 1975. After the war, a new era began for Spain, led by General Franco. The Law of Political Responsibilities and the Law for the Repression of Masonry and Communism were automatically applied. The Franco regime was characterized by a non-transitory military dictatorship. It was a totalitarian political system that did not recognize freedoms and lacked a constitution. All powers (executive, legislative, and judicial) were concentrated in Franco. The new state was a mixture of military dictatorship, fascist state, and absolute monarchy without a king.

Franco’s regime demonstrated an enormous capacity to adapt to circumstances throughout his tenure. This was evident in the various positions adopted before World War II (1939-45), the subsequent Cold War (1945-1989), and Spain’s entry into international institutions. Franco maintained maximum power until his death. This success stemmed primarily from the ideological and social support offered to a population that craved political stability, economic growth, and social development.

Ideological Principles of the Regime

The regime’s ideological principles were based on a central national identity and an opposition to “separatism.” It also contained a strong anti-liberalism stance, opposing liberal democracy. After the war, anti-communism increased, and the regime severely oppressed the defeated Republicans. Franco was considered chosen by God to save Spain. He laid the foundations for “National Catholicism,” the name given to the Spanish Catholic Church during the Franco regime. The Church held strong power and control over certain sectors of society, especially education and public morals.

The regime also displayed corporatism and populism. The masses were passively incorporated through organizations like the Falange (including its Women’s Section and Youth Front) and the Church. Propaganda was used to extol Franco, with many displays of public accession. Censorship impoverished and isolated Spanish culture to avoid liberal influences and maintain a conservative essence.

Social Bases of the Regime

The social bases of Franco’s regime revolved largely around the Army, the Church, and the Falange.

The Army

The Army became the backbone of the regime and remained loyal to Franco, who used it to ensure public order. As victors of the war, they enjoyed privileges both individually and as an institution.

The Catholic Church

The Catholic Church blessed and legitimized Franco’s rise to power. Franco placed education under the Church’s control. Two secular organizations participated in the work of the state: the National Catholic Association of Propagandists (ACNP) and Opus Dei. Economic ministries were under the control of technocrats. After World War II, the regime relied on its Catholic character to deny its relationship with European fascism. However, some bishops denounced the regime’s injustices, and organizations linked to Catholic Action, such as JOC and HOAC, defended workers’ rights. The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) marked the beginning of the separation of church and state in Spain.

The Falange

The Falange settled under Franco’s leadership and controlled the vertical unions and labor. Families within the regime could be divided between Carlist monarchists (who held more power) and Juanists (supporters of Don Juan de Borbón). Relations between Don Juan and Franco were strained, aggravated by Franco’s 1945 Manifesto of Lausanne, where Don Juan demanded the restoration of a constitutional monarchy. Other social supports for the regime included the financial oligarchy and landowners, who gained political power and social hegemony, along with the urban middle classes and the peasantry of the central regions.

Institutionalization of the Franco Regime

Franco’s regime was structured as a single-party state under the FET y de las JONS (Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS). The government formed in 1939 undertook the task of consolidating the state, whose political and doctrinal structure was ultimately assumed by the National Movement.

Courts seemingly endowed the regime with legitimacy, but they were not representative or chosen by national sovereignty. They served as an advisory body to Franco but held no real power. This absolute power extended to the territorial level, with Franco appointing civil governors (who were also Provincial Chiefs of the Movement) and military governors. This system was termed “organic democracy” to distinguish it from democratic systems based on political parties and individual rights.

Labor Relations

The regime created a vertical union structure that mandatorily grouped workers and employers in industries under a triple theme: unity, totality, and hierarchy. Strikes and dismissals were prohibited. This lack of democratic legality led to the promulgation of the Fundamental Laws of the National Movement, issued according to the needs and evolution of the regime:

  • The Labor Law (1938) established the basis for vertical and national unions, inspired by fascist Italy.
  • The Constitutive Act of the Cortes (1942) endowed Spain with a “representative” institution.
  • The Charter of the Spanish People (1945) outlined rights, limited to obedience to the regime’s principles, and established a Catholic confessional state.
  • The National Referendum Act (1945) allowed for popular consultation on government decisions or court rulings.
  • The Law of Succession to the Head of State (1947) subjected the succession to the principles of the “National Movement of July 18th.” It declared Don Juan ineligible and opened the door for a future succession of Don Juan Carlos, Don Juan’s son, who was educated in Spain under the principles of the National Movement.
  • The Law of Principles of the Movement (1958) stated that the ideas of the Falange movement were assumed by the state, and the Falange itself lost power.
  • The Organic Law of the State (1966) represented the legal structure of the regime and closed the long “constituent” process.

Foreign Policy During the Franco Regime

Foreign policy during the Franco regime can be divided into three phases.

World War II (1939-1945)

From the beginning of World War II, Spain identified with the Axis powers (Germany and Italy) due to ideological affinity and shared interests. Franco decided not to intervene directly in the war due to the dilapidated state of the country and because Hitler did not offer the requested assistance (weapons, food, raw materials, and colonial aspirations in Africa). However, Spain sent the Blue Division to fight alongside Germany against the USSR. Ultimately, after maintaining a position between neutrality and belligerence, pressure from the Allies and the prospect of Germany’s defeat led Franco to distance himself from fascism.

International Isolation (1945-1953)

Spain suffered international isolation following the publication of the Manifesto of Lausanne (1945) and Spain’s exclusion from the UN (1946). Countries like Mexico and Poland denounced the fascist nature of the regime. The only support came from Salazar’s Portugal and Perón’s Argentina.

End of Isolation and the Cold War (1953-1975)

The change in attitude of the United States, along with pressure from Latin American and Arab countries, enabled the UN General Assembly to overturn its condemnation of Spain in 1950. Spain joined international organizations: FAO (1951), UNESCO (1952), and finally, the UN (1955). The U.S. and UK, seeing Franco as a fervent anti-communist, initiated a process of rapprochement. The concordat with the Vatican and the Pact of Madrid (1953) with the U.S. ended the regime’s international isolation. Franco adapted to the new context by mitigating fascist paraphernalia and changing his government. Growing domestic opposition and economic crisis led to another change of government in 1957, with Opus Dei technocrats pushing for further economic liberalization and ending autarky.

Conclusion: Evolution of the Franco Regime

The creation of the new state by General Franco was based on adapting to the different circumstances of each era. The regime evolved through four stages:

  1. First Phase (1939-1950): Characterized by an autarkic economy, the imposition of Francoist ideology, and widespread international isolation.
  2. Second Stage (1950-1959): Focused on ending isolationism with the help of technocrats who implemented significant economic reforms.
  3. Third Stage (1959-1969): Included economic development, technocratic rule, and tentative internal opening with the Press Law, restricted suffrage to elect members of the Cortes (1966), and the Religious Freedom Act (1967).
  4. Fourth Phase (1969-1975): Witnessed the decomposition of the regime. The new government formed in 1974 appointed Carrero Blanco as Prime Minister, but he was assassinated by ETA. In 1974, the Arias Navarro government, dominated by technocrats, was formed. Tensions arose with the Church and the opposition, coupled with the conflict over the independence of the Sahara and the 1973 energy crisis.

Franco died on November 20, 1975, perhaps believing that his work would survive him. However, Francoism was not possible without Franco.

sible without Franco.