Franco's Spain: Regime, Society, and Women's Roles (1939-1975)

The Francoist Dictatorship (1939-1975)

Key Concepts of the Franco Regime

• Maquis: Individuals who fought against the Francoist regime, often through guerrilla warfare.
• Sección Femenina: The sole women's organization within the Falange, focused on instilling traditional female roles and Francoist ideology.
• Marshall Plan: A United States initiative for rebuilding Allied countries in Europe after World War II; Spain was notably excluded due to its political alignment.
• Economic Autarchy: An economic policy characterized by national self-sufficiency and minimal trade with the outside world.
• Isolationism: A political or economic policy that isolates a country from participating in international alliances or relationships.
• Rationing: The controlled distribution of scarce resources, foods, goods, or services during times of shortage.
• Falange: The only legal political party during the Francoist dictatorship, serving as the regime's ideological backbone.
• Military Base: A facility or group of installations used by the military to shelter equipment and facilitate training and operations.
• Straperlo: A term referring to illegal, corrupt, or smuggling activities, particularly the black market sale of goods during periods of scarcity.

Concepts for Historical Study

• Individual Memory: What a person remembers about a specific event or period, influenced by self-identity, feelings, and life experiences.
• Historical Memory: How a society collectively remembers the past, often represented by 'realms of memory' such as places, objects, and symbols like monuments or museums.
• History: A scientific discipline that researches, records, and explains significant past events, employing a rigorous methodology that utilizes diverse information sources and perspectives.

Women During Franco’s Dictatorship

The Spanish Civil War, which began in 1936, concluded with the victory of the Nationalists and the establishment of the Franco dictatorship (1939-1975), led by General Francisco Franco.

During the Second Republic (1931-1939), women had begun to gain a significant public presence, excelling in the workplace and politics, with pioneers like Clara Campoamor and Victoria Kent achieving notable advancements. However, with the Nationalist uprising of 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship, all such progress and achievements were abruptly halted.

First Period (1939-1959): Repression and Subjugation

• Women were subjected to severe social and legal restrictions, often portrayed as intellectually and physically inferior.
• Widespread repression targeted women, particularly those associated with the Republican cause.
• Passports were confiscated from women identified as left-leaning.
• The primary purpose of sex was defined as procreation.
• Abortion and divorce were strictly prohibited.
• Women required male permission for many activities, including employment, travel, and opening bank accounts.
• Propaganda promoted the ideal woman as a submissive, domestic figure, exemplified by the character 'Teresa'.

Second Period (1959-1975): Gradual Changes and Economic Influence

Between the 1950s and 1960s, gradual changes began to emerge. In this second period, the perception of women shifted from being solely a 'reproductive machine' subservient to men, to a different, albeit still limited, role. This shift was largely driven by the need to boost the Spanish economy. As capitalism spread and consumption increased, the additional income from women's work became increasingly valuable for households.

• Women were permitted to work outside the home, though with significant limitations. For example, they were generally excluded from administrative roles or the military.
• Opportunities for women in education improved, allowing them to pursue legal studies at university.

After Franco's death in 1975, societal changes continued, albeit not always rapidly.

Life During the Dictatorship

• Dictatorship & the Catholic Church: The Catholic Church exerted a strong influence on daily life, particularly during childhood, shaping education and moral values.
• Repression: Those who had lost the Civil War faced severe repression, including arrests and deplorable living conditions in prisons.
• Work Conditions and Women’s Role in Society: Workers often endured long hours (e.g., 10.5 hours) for low wages. Factory workers were punished for talking. Women were typically required to leave factory jobs upon marriage.
• Homosexuals Considered External to Society: Homosexual individuals were persecuted and punished, deemed 'undesirable' by the regime.
• Politics & Society: Franco's ideology was rigorously imposed on society, with his image, speeches, and the national anthem being compulsory elements of public life.
• Language: Regional languages, such as Basque, were forbidden in public and educational settings. All teachers were Spanish, and students were compelled to speak Spanish in schools and on the streets.
• Economy: The scarcity of food led to widespread black markets (Straperlo). In regions like Araba, potatoes were a common item traded on these illicit markets.

Francoist First Period (1939-1959): Autarchy and Isolation

• Politics: Characterized by a totalitarian dictatorship, with Franco holding absolute power, supported by the Catholic Church and the military.
• Economy: Focused on self-sufficiency, with a variety of employment opportunities in industry, infrastructure, and the primary sector.
• Society:
  1. Clear and rigid gender roles, with women largely excluded from work, voting, and subjected to discriminatory treatment.
  2. Schools served as a tool for indoctrinating citizens with Franco's virtues, with education heavily controlled by the Catholic Church.

Francoist Second Period (1959-1975): Development and Opening

• Politics: The dictatorship continued, maintaining its authoritarian structure.
• Economy:
  1. Economic conditions improved significantly.
  2. The country transitioned from a period of isolation to one of increased consumerism and tourism.
• Society: Society gradually became more open, including a greater acceptance of languages other than Spanish in certain contexts.