Franco's Regime and Spain's Transition to Democracy: 1939-1982

Political System

Political system: Absence of a constitution, replaced by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom. National Movement (single party), concentration of political power in the person of Francisco Franco.

Domestic Policy of the Regime

Totalitarian Stage (1939-1959)

The Head of State corresponded to Franco. The Falangist government was composed of military and Catholic personalities. A cutting advisory body was made up of solicitors endorsing decisions made by Franco. International isolation, the influence of the phalanx, and repression.

Technocrat Stage (1959-1975)

Liberal political action (press law), separation between the Head of State and Government. Juan Carlos de Borbon was appointed successor to Franco.

Economic Developments

Autarkic Phase (1939-1959)

Self-sufficiency, ration cards that appeared on the black market, and the construction of reservoirs in 1950 to alleviate drought.

Developmental Stage

The Spanish economy showed improvement by joining international organizations, economic liberalism, and development plans. Tourism and migration to Europe brought foreign exchange earnings, as did foreign investment.

Social Evolution

In the first stage, the company suffered most of the shortages and hardships. In the second stage, Franco improved the living conditions of the population (including the inclusion of women in the workplace).

Social structure: Leading class (military, the church), urban middle class (civil servants, small entrepreneurs), and the agricultural population became the working class.

International Relations

International isolation. During the Second World War, the Franco regime had a friendship and cooperation with Italy and Germany. In the final stage of the war, there was an international branch.

National Openness and Full Integration

Concordat with the Holy See: Official Catholic state. Bilateral agreements with the United States. There was a Cold War; Spain was an ally of the USA.

Labor and Political Opposition

Political Opposition

Two alternatives: the Republican (Socialist and Communist, anarchists, drivers of the guerrillas) and the monarchy against the figure of Don Juan de Borbón.

Trade Unionism

CNT and UGT were dismantled. Workers were in vertical unions. In 1950, strikes were born. Workers' committees in enterprises became workers' commissions.

End of the Franco Regime

In recent years, the dictatorship hardened, increasing tensions with the church and increasing labor strikes.

Transition (1975-1982)

Arias Navarro's government lacked understanding between the king and the government.

Suarez's government: Law for political reform, party system drawbridge. In 1977, the first general elections were held. The new government's policy of consensus practice resulted in the Moncloa Pacts.

The Constitution of 1978 was achieved by consensus. The Spanish state's fundamental rights and duties are collected and were approved by referendum on December 6, 1978.