Key Events of the Late Franco Regime in Spain

Key Events of the Late Franco Regime

Council of War Burgos (1970)

The court-martial of Burgos, with the prosecution's request for 9 death sentences against 16 militants of ETA, caused a storm of international protest.

CCOO (1964)

The CCOO was born as an independent, democratic, and unitary movement, boosting the labor and political struggle.

Munich Conspiracy (1962)

The Fourth Congress of the European Federalist Movement, held in Munich in 1962, brought together Spanish opposition in exile and those from within Spain. Munich called for the end of the regime and the transition to a democratic Spain.

Polisario Front (1973)

A nationalist movement with socialist tendencies, the Polisario Front advocated for Saharawi independence.

General Education Act of 1970

Driven by Jose Luis Villar Palasí, this law established compulsory education to age 14, structured in two stages. After this first phase of eight courses, students accessed the BUP, or the newly created FP (vocational training). This law reformed the educational system from primary to university, adapting to the needs of schooling.

Press Law (1966)

With the press law of Manuel Fraga, prior censorship was abolished, but a system of fines and suspensions was set for publications deemed bold.

Organic Law of the State (1976)

Approved by referendum, this law was the cornerstone of the regime's institutionalization. It clarified the functions of state organs, changed key provisions of other laws, and introduced innovations such as the separation between the Head of State and government, and controlled election of provincial prosecutors.

Organic Law of the Movement (1967)

An unsuccessful attempt to forge the Movement as an area of "differences of opinion and association of public opinion."

Family Representation Act

This restrictive law adjusted the choice of the 108 prosecutors of the "third military" by the head of household and married women, setting the height of openness.

Green March (1975)

The Green March was a strategy by Morocco to occupy the Western Sahara, which was then occupied by Spain. It began on November 6, 1975, and mobilized tens of thousands of civilians. Facing the danger of war with Morocco, Spain decided to give in, and on November 14, an agreement was signed in Madrid that ceded control of the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.