Social and Political Opposition to Francoism: 1960s-1970s

The Social Conflict

The social movement of opposition in the 60s and 70s saw a significant increase in labor disputes in areas such as Asturias, Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. The Franco authorities considered any protest a problem of public order and responded with repressive methods. The UGT union had some illegal activity, while the CNT had disappeared. In 1964, the Workers' Commissions (CCOO), an independent democratic trade union, was born, promoting labor and political struggle. This organization combined illegal actions, such as strikes with notice, and participation in the elections for the Francoist trade union structure. In 1967, a group of trade unionists linked to the Young Christian Workers separated from the CCOO and founded the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO). Student protests also appeared in the universities of Madrid and Barcelona, leading to the creation of democratic student unions opposing the dictatorship. Other social movements emerged, such as residents' movements in new neighborhoods of large cities and neighborhood associations demanding better living conditions. The Second Vatican Council led to the emergence of attitudes critical of the dictatorship within the Catholic Church, including participation in workers' demonstrations. Part of the church hierarchy distanced itself from the regime and adopted anti-Franco attitudes. These demands reached the army, where the Unión Militar Democrática (UMD) was created.

The Political Opposition

The old political parties and their leaders renewed their efforts, and new political groups and organizations emerged, ranging from the extreme left to the liberal monarchy. The Communist Party of Spain (PCE), led by Santiago Carrillo, advocated greater penetration in mass organizations. The PSOE was led by Felipe González. Extreme left parties like the PCI and terrorist groups such as FRAP also appeared. Moderate opposition groups included the Christian Democrats, which gathered different parties with leaders like José María Gil Robles. They were involved with the Congress of the European Movement, described by Francoism as the "conspiracy" in Munich, where the illegal opposition met to demand a democratic Spain. Nationalist parties such as Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and the GNP were revitalized, and Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya, led by Jordi Pujol, was born. In the Basque Country, ETA emerged in 1968, an organization mixing socialist ideas and radical nationalism, advocating an armed struggle against Franco.