Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for History for Baccalaureate

Political and Economic Developments of the Franco Regime

1. The Postwar Period (1939-1950)

• a) World War II (1939-1945)
  • Foreign policy: (1939-1941) neutrality, (1941-1943) non-belligerence, sympathy towards the Axis, Blue Division, (1943-1945) neutrality.
  • Autarky (self-sufficiency), hunger.
  • Institutionalization of the Spanish courts law regime (1942), jurisdiction of the Spanish (1945).
• b) International Isolation (1945-1950)
  • Political: Withdrawal of ambassadors from Spain, Spain did not join the UN.
  • Economy: No commercial relationships with Spain, hunger.
  • Franco presents international isolation as a Judeo-Masonic conspiracy against Spain.
  • Institutionalization of the regime: The National Referendum Act (1945), Law of Succession (1947).

2. The Cold War and

Rebel Area

The political and social groups that had supported the military uprising did not have a common project and, therefore, accepted the supremacy of the army that was responsible for organizing the new state.

Formation of the National Defense

First, they created the National Defense in Burgos, headed by Miguel Canellas (the oldest general of the rebels). This board banned political parties and unions and halted land reform. After General Sanjurjo, considered the head of the rebellion, died in an accident, there was a need for appointing a single leader, especially when it became clear that the uprising would lead to civil war.

Franco's Rise to Power

Franco was elected on 30 September 1936 and became famous in Spain and abroad for his military...

Post-World War II: International Isolation of Franco's Spain

After the Second World War in 1945, the international isolation of the Franco regime was agreed upon at the Potsdam Conference by France, Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Following this, the UN General Assembly, in session on December 12, 1946, passed a resolution aimed at forcing political change in Spain towards a democratic nature.

The Nature of Franco's Regime and UN Concerns

While Spain under Franco won the Civil War with the help of Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy, Franco's regime, though totalitarian, was arguably never fully fascist, even in its early stages, as the state never controlled or aspired to control every aspect of life. Nevertheless, the UN resolution...

The New Economic Policy (NEP) and its Impact

The idea of the NEP was to restore a limited form of capitalism to rebuild the economy. The state retained control of credit, railway companies, and banks, while farmers could sell their surplus. The revitalization of the economy was noticeable. However, the NEP brought problems that divided the Communist Party, leading to accusations of creating a new bourgeoisie. Despite this, the NEP resulted in raising the economy.

The Stalinist Period (1927-1939)

The Succession of Lenin: Lenin was removed from power due to illness. Two other candidates emerged: Trotsky (Soviet President in St. Petersburg) and Stalin (who organized the October Revolution). Stalin eventually controlled power in the USSR and defended...

Key Events of WW2

1939 September → Invasion of Poland (Trigger event)

1940 June → Germany invades France and defeats her in six weeks

1941 June - December → OPERATION BARBAROSSA

- Germany invades Russia. It is the largest military operation in history

1941 December → PEARL HARBOR

- Japan attacks on Pearl Harbor

1942 June → Battle of Midway

- The US Navy defeats the Japanese Navy.

1943 February → Stalingrad

- The German army surrenders at Stalingrad. One of the bloodiest battles, Hitler suffers a major defeat.

1944 June → Operation Overlord

- The Allies launch the largest assault in history on Normandy

1945 August → Hiroshima and Nagasaki

- The USA drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 200.000 killing. Japan announces its surrenders....

WW1:

1. Causes: Militarism: Build-up of armed forces to prepare for war. Alliance: Agreement between countries to defend or fight together. Imperialism: Belief of a country in building up an empire and controlling less powerful countries. Nationalism: Pride in a country with people wanting to govern themselves or defend themselves.

2. Main Events:

-1914 28 June → Archduke’s Assassination (TRIGGER EVENT)

-1914 29 July → Russia mobilizes its troops to defend Serbia

-Germany declares war on Russia (1st August)

-France declares war on Germany to help Russia (2nd August)

-Germany declares war on France (3rd August)

19th January 1915: Germany begins an aerial campaign against Britain

15th September 1916: The first use of tanks. Used by the British.

6th

CONSTRUCTION OF THE LIBERAL STATE (1833-1874)

The First Carlist War and the Rise of Isabelline Spain

Ferdinand VII's decision to allow female succession through the Pragmatic Sanction sparked conflict with his brother, Carlos Mª Isidro, leading to the First Carlist War (1833-1839). The Carlists, supporters of Carlos, defended absolutism and traditional institutions, while the Isabelline faction, backing Isabella II, embraced liberalism and reform.

Following a series of Carlist defeats, the Isabelline forces, led by General Espartero, emerged victorious. The Vergara Agreement of 1839 officially ended the war, granting amnesty to Carlist soldiers while preserving some regional autonomy (fueros).

The Implantation of the Liberal State (1833-1843)

During...

1. Introduction

• Type of Text: Primary source. A manifest; a historical and political text.

• Author: Collective (Basque political and trade union organizations in exile in France: PCE, PNV, UGT, Izquierda Republicana, ANV, Euskadi Mendigozale Batza, PSOE, ELA, Republicans, CNT).

• Addressee: Primarily all citizens of the Basque Country, and indirectly the Franco Regime. A public text.

• Objective: To reaffirm allegiance to the Republic, support the Basque Government in exile, oppose the dictatorship, and prevent the restoration of the monarchy.

• Location and Date: Published in Bayonne (France) on March 31, 1945, during early Francoism, while the Basque Government was in exile in France, a period of repression and hope for restoring the Republic in Spain

Nazi Control in Germany: The Police State

The Gestapo

The Gestapo, under Reinhard Heydrich's command, was the most feared force by ordinary German citizens. Gestapo agents had sweeping powers, including arresting citizens on suspicion and sending them to concentration camps without trial. Fear of the Gestapo led to widespread informing on each other among ordinary Germans.

The Police and Courts

The police and courts also played a role in propping up the Nazi dictatorship. High-ranking Nazis were appointed to top positions in local police forces, reporting directly to Himmler. The police engaged in political snooping in addition to their regular law and order duties, and they were instructed to ignore crimes committed by Nazi agents. The Nazis also...