Franco's Spain: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Regime

Background

The Franco regime emerged from the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and shared similarities with other totalitarian regimes of the era, such as those led by Mussolini and Hitler.

Despite the fall of fascism and Nazism after World War II, Franco's regime persisted until 1975.

Ideological Foundation

• Fascist Representation: The Falange party represented fascist ideals, with all power concentrated in Franco's hands.
• National Catholicism: Catholicism was the official religion, closely intertwined with the state.
• Traditionalism: Inspired by the traditional monarchy of Habsburg Spain, rejecting Enlightenment ideas as the cause of Spanish decline.
• National Unity: Autonomy statutes were abolished, and the state was centralized.

Internal Support

Political Support:

• Falange: Responsible for propaganda.
• Military: Some members fought on the Nationalist side during the Civil War.
• Catholic Church: Held strong influence with close ties to the state.
• Monarchists: Supported Franco as a temporary leader.

Social Support:

• Landowners, businessmen, and financiers.
• Economic improvements led to the emergence of a middle class and improved conditions for the working class, with some accepting the lack of freedom in exchange for better living conditions.

Stages of the Regime

1939-1959:

• Franco was the head of state and supreme leader of the army.
• The Movimiento Nacional (Falange + JONS) was the sole political organization.
• A single trade union, the Vertical Trade Union, was established.
• Absence of a formal constitution, with the Leyes Fundamentales and Fuero del Trabajo serving as the main laws.

Organic Democracy:

In 1942, as the end of European dictatorships became apparent, Spain adopted a system that appeared democratic but was not. The Law of Cortes re-established parliament as a consultative body to pass laws dictated by Franco, including the Fuero de los Españoles, Ley de Sucesión, and Ley de Principios Fundamentales del Movimiento Nacional. Members of parliament were not elected by universal suffrage but came from families, municipalities, and trade unions.

Foreign Policy:

During World War II, Spain remained neutral but sent volunteers (División Azul) to fight for Germany.

After the war, Spain faced isolation, with many countries severing diplomatic relations. However, during the Cold War, the United States saw Spain as a potential ally against communism, ending its isolation.

Opposition to the Regime:

• Exiles formed an alternative government led by Diego Martinez Barrio.
• Monarchists, led by Juan de Borbón in Portugal, issued manifestos to restore the monarchy.
• Opponents continued fighting and engaging in sabotage, hiding in the mountains (The Maquis).

Autarky:

A period of Autarky was implemented, aiming for self-sufficiency due to international isolation. The goal was to provide the population with products produced in Spain, requiring strong state intervention to control prices and production.

Effects: Economic stagnation, decline in agricultural and industrial production, shortage of basic products, rationing, and a black market (estraperlo). Ration cards (Cartillas de racionamiento) were introduced.

The INI (Instituto Nacional de Industria) was created to stimulate industrial production.

1959-1975:

Internal Policy:

Main ideologies persisted, but new laws were passed, including the Ley de Prensa (1966) and Ley Orgánica del Estado (1967). The position of Prime Minister was created.

In 1969, Prince Juan Carlos was designated as Franco's successor.

New members (technocrats, Opus Dei) joined the government, applying economic knowledge to address the situation.

Economic Policy:

Autarky was replaced by the Plan de Estabilización, opening the economy to the international market, deregulating prices and trade, devaluing the peseta, freezing salaries, and promoting tourism.

The Spanish economy experienced remarkable growth.

Society:

• Emergence of a new middle class with an urban culture, shifting away from agrarian traditions.
• Expansion of social security improved health services.
• The Church lost influence.
• More women entered the labor market.
• Landowners became less influential, with the bourgeoisie forming the upper class.