Francoism: Hegemony, Alliances, and International Relations
Political Developments
The Rise of Falangist Hegemony
There was a qualitative and quantitative dominance of the Falange, due to Germany's role on the international scene and the recent civil war. The strong man of this stage was Serrano Suñer, the Cuñadísimo. The Falange encouraged a framework program, typically of fascist society, through their organizations and the control of press and propaganda.
Spain and World War II
Franco abandoned neutrality and declared a state of non-belligerence. He met with Hitler at Hendaye in October 1940, where it was reiterated that Spain would declare war on Great Britain to recover Gibraltar, but in the end, this did not happen. Spain sent the Blue Division to fight against the Soviets. Seeing that an Axis victory was not clear, Franco's attitude began to change. In September 1942, Serrano Suñer was removed from Foreign Affairs. Without breaking with Germany, he also moved closer to the Allies. In October 1943, Spain returned to neutrality.
National Catholicism
The defeat of the Axis powers was a problem for Franco. He adapted to the new circumstances, incorporating different political families, but giving prevalence to the Catholics. On July 20, 1945, Franco formed a new government. The general lines were the same as in 1942: less Falangism, maintenance of the military, and advancement of Catholics, seeking support from the Vatican and to reduce the hostility of the social democracies. The Privy Council and the Council of Regency were created.
International Isolation
In February 1946, the UN rejected the entry of Spain. On December 12, the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution prohibiting the government of Franco from participating in United Nations agencies and recommended that UN members withdraw their ambassadors from Madrid. All withdrew except those of Argentina, Portugal, and the Vatican. Spain remained outside the UN, could not receive aid under the Marshall Plan, and France closed the border.
End of Isolation
Since 1948, the international momentum favored Spain. In the Cold War, anti-fascism was replaced by anti-communism. In 1950, the American Security Council recommended improving relations with Franco. In August 1950, the U.S. Congress approved the grant to Spain of a loan. In November 1950, the UN Assembly repealed the agreement of December 1946. However, the greatest triumph came in 1953 with the signing of the Concordat with the Holy See, which regulated Church-State relations, and the Spanish-American Agreement concerning the U.S. use of a series of military bases in exchange for economic aid.
In December 1955, Spain was admitted as a member of the UN.