Spain's Societal Transformation: 1940-1975

Population, Society, and Daily Life in Spain (1940-1975)

Demographic and Urban Growth (1940-1975)

Between 1940 and 1975, Spain's population significantly increased from 26 million to 35.4 million.

Initially, after the Civil War, population growth was slow due to several factors:

• Exile
• Difficult economic situation
• Illnesses and malnutrition

From 1960 onwards, the economic situation improved, leading to an increased rhythm of demographic growth.

Migration Movements

Spain experienced significant internal and external migration during this period:

• Rural Exodus: Over 4 million people abandoned agrarian areas in inland Spain. They migrated to industrial or tourist regions such as the Basque Country, the Ebro Valley, Madrid, and the Mediterranean coast. This rapid urban growth led to several problems in cities:
  • Shortage of housing
  • Inadequacy of public services
  • Creation of slums and marginal neighborhoods on the outskirts
• External Migration: Over 1 million people moved to other countries in Western Europe, including West Germany, France, Switzerland, and Belgium. This migration was driven by the need for a cheap workforce to perform the hardest or least attractive jobs in these countries.

The New Social Structure

Economic development also brought about a new social structure in Spain:

• Upper Class

  The traditional agrarian landowners lost their prominent position to the financial and industrial bourgeoisie, as well as higher members of the political administration.

• Middle Class

  This class grew significantly, especially within the tertiary sectors, white-collar professions, and the civil service.

• Working Class

  There was a decrease in farm laborers and an increase in industrial workers, who began to gain access to buying their own properties.

Changes in Everyday Life

The 1960s marked a shift from a traditional rural culture to a more urban culture. The purchasing power of many families grew, leading to an increased availability of:

• Electrical appliances
• Cars
• Televisions
• Holidays

The welfare state also improved significantly due to the expansion of Social Security services and advancements in health services.

There was a gradual but profound change in Spanish culture:

• The Church lost much of its social influence.
• The traditional family model, based on paternal authority, began to be questioned.
• More women gained access to the labor market.
• New fashions, clothes, and customs were introduced, such as jeans, long hair, and pop music.

Glossary of Terms

Corporatism

A form of democracy directed by a ruling elite of an authoritarian state that seeks to represent the different interests of society.

Sindicato Vertical

The only central trade union that existed in Spain between 1940 and 1976, during the period of the Francoist dictatorship.

Technocrats

A system of government in which technological experts manage and control the economy, government, etc.

Referendum or Self-determination

The fundamental right of all people to freely decide their own political status.

Autarky

A condition of self-sufficiency, often applied to a nation (e.g., Spain).

Estraperlo

Illegal commerce of articles that are scarce or administered by the state.

Ley Fundamental

The law that establishes the basic principles by which the legislation of a country should be governed.