Franco's Dictatorship: Autarky, Isolation, and Foreign Policy

Stage of Isolation and Autarky

4. Material Costs of the War Were Important but Not Decisive.

The delay in the recovery of economic growth was due to political intervention, autarky, and the isolation of the dictatorship. In 1939, the dictatorship launched a program of economic autarky in response to economic factors, ideology, and political continuity. There are two different periods: a stage of full self-sufficiency, and the gradual dismantling of the same.

The results were negative:

• In agriculture, production fell. The state set low prices for agricultural producers, considered inadequate, and some production was diverted to the black market, which became widespread.
• In the industrial sector, the establishment of many state industries was promoted.
• In foreign trade, a system of import and export controls was introduced, leading to corruption and generating a black market phenomenon.

Franco's Foreign Policy: Pragmatism and Self-Preservation

5. The evolution of Franco's foreign policy is proof of its ideological inconsistency and the pragmatic nature of its decisions, marked more by the self-preservation of power than by certain values or a model of politics.

The Spanish position on the conflict was conditioned by the evolution of it:

• At the beginning of the war, the foreign minister maintained a neutral stance but officially aligned with the fascist side. As proof, Spain signed a treaty of friendship between Germany and Spain.
• In the Spanish environment, there were personalities who had openly advocated participation in the war. Spain adopted a non-belligerent situation, expecting that the balance would tip to the side of Hitler and Mussolini to intervene.
• A new declaration of neutrality was made after the war, as fascism appeared to have its days numbered. In 1945, the Potsdam Conference was held, in which the intention not to admit Spain to the UN was declared.

International Pressure and the Dictatorship's Response

The dictatorship felt internationally overwhelmed:

• An official statement was issued rejecting the legitimacy of the international pressure.
• A resolution was passed condemning Franco's dictatorship.
• France closed its border with Spain.
• A blockade was imposed.

Franco launched a propaganda campaign based on the exaltation of nationalism and opposition to an alleged conspiracy by communism and Freemasonry, which culminated in a mass demonstration with which they tried to show the massive support for the Spanish dictator.

The Cold War and Spain's Reintegration into the World

The Franco dictatorship was saved thanks to the Cold War. In 1950, the UN reversed its recommendations of isolation, which meant external standardization and the incorporation of the country into international society.

• The concordat with the Vatican was renewed.
• Agreements were signed between the U.S. and Spain.
• Spain joined the UN.