Spain After Franco: Transition to Democracy

Opposition to Franco's Regime

There was harsh persecution of people who had opposed Franco during the war or later. Thousands were jailed or executed, but, despite this, an armed guerrilla resisted in the mountains during the 40s (the Maquis).

From the 50s, opposition was organized from those who were in exile, including parties and unions like PCE, PSOE, CNT, UGT, and CCOO. Also, monarchists were asking for a return to democracy, as well as the nationalist parties.

During the 60s, the number of demonstrations and strikes increased despite the repression. Universities also became a strong anti-Franco force. Even anti-Francoist groups emerged from the church.

End of the Franco Dictatorship

• 1969: Prince Juan Carlos de Borbón was chosen as Franco's successor.
• 1973: For the first time, Franco shared his power; he appointed Luis Carrero Blanco as prime minister. However, Carrero Blanco was assassinated by ETA. Carlos Arias Navarro replaced him. The opposition had grown inside and outside Spain, and negotiations to reinstate democracy were quite advanced when Franco died.

Spain's Transition to Democracy

• November 20, 1975: Franco died.
• November 22, 1975: Juan Carlos I was proclaimed King of Spain.
• 1976: The King appointed Adolfo Suárez as prime minister. He organized a referendum to ask the Spaniards if they agreed to reform the system. The referendum was held in December, and the "yes" won.
• 1977: Free elections were summoned in order to draft a constitution. Adolfo Suárez's party (UCD) won the elections.
• 1978: A referendum was held on December 6 to ask the people to approve the new constitution. It was approved, and democracy was about to come back.
• 1979: New elections were held, and UCD won again.
• 1979-1982: UCD ruled Spain. In 1981, Adolfo Suárez had resigned, and Calvo Sotelo was to be the new president of Spain. The approval had to be done by the parliament, and when the voting was going on (February 23, 1981), a coup d'état took place.

The 1981 Coup Attempt

Part of the army, Falangists, and extreme Catholic groups were not willing to let democracy be reestablished in Spain. Antonio Tejero, a Lieutenant Colonel, occupied the Congress, and Jaime Miláns del Bosch, Captain General of Valencia, declared a state of war, taking tanks into the streets. The King's speech against the coup made it fail.