Anti-Franco Opposition and Social Mobilization (1950s-1970s)

The Anti-Franco Opposition in the 1950s

The law consolidated the regime's position in the fifties, and the anti-Franco opposition lost hope of overthrowing it in the short term. Since the end of the Civil War, some militants had tried to rebuild their parties and trade unions. Notably, the Communists maintained significant guerrilla opposition activity until 1949. Opposition also moved against the regime from exile.

Changes and New Organizations in the Fifties

The fifties saw several changes, including:

1. New organizations such as the National Liberation Front of Families.
2. Young people opposing the Franco dictatorship.
3. The emergence of strikes.

In 1956, very violent student conflicts erupted in Madrid, leading to a severe political crisis.

Social Mobilization and Democratic Values

The spread of democratic values among industrial workers, employees of the new middle classes, and students contributed to the progressive engagement of these groups, leading to increasing social mobilization in Spain. This mobilization manifested on three main fronts: labor, university, and urban.

The Labor Movement

With the beginning of economic development, a labor movement emerged, strengthened by the liberalization of labor relations, which included the implementation of the Collective Agreements Act. While the UGT and CNT faced difficulties adjusting, the Workers' Commissions (Comisiones Obreras), a union strongly linked to the Communist Party, arose and gained prominence.

The Student Movement

The student movement remained a minority until the mid-1960s. In 1956, SEU students were expelled after violent protests. Subsequently, the Democratic Union of University Students (Sindicato Democrático de Estudiantes Universitarios) was formed.

The Urban Movement

Towards the end of the dictatorship, a new movement emerged in the urban neighborhoods of newly created districts in large cities. These movements formed the first platforms of neighborhood associations.

Key Opposition Groups and Events (Late 1950s)

The opposition in the late 50s was articulated around diverse organizations, often with a limited number of militants. Key groups included:

• The Christian Democrats (led by Gil Robles and Manuel Giménez Fernández).
• Social Liberals (like Ridruejo and Joaquín Satrústegui).
• Republicans.
• The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).
• The Communist Party of Spain (PCE).

The Munich Congress (1962)

The meeting in Munich was the most important political act of the opposition. Groups from the opposition and those in exile met there and agreed on the policy changes needed for Spain to gain entry into the Common Market (EEC). The regime reacted with a disproportionate press campaign against the "collusion of Munich."

Regional Opposition

Opposition to the Franco regime in Catalonia was notably more uniform. In 1969, the Coordinating Committee of Political Forces of Catalonia was formed, followed in 1971 by the Assembly of Catalonia. The presence of ETA significantly marked the dynamics of the opposition in the Basque Country.