Important
Throughout his dictatorship, Franco maintained the same ideological principles that formed the basis of Francoism.
From the beginning, the Franco regime implemented a policy of political repression through the 1939 Law of Political Responsibilities. This was directed against those who had supported the Republicans during the civil war. Punishments included the confiscation of property, disqualification from holding public office, forced labour, prison sentences of up to 30 years and the death penalty.
In general, Spain's population adopted a passive attitude towards the regime, even though many people rejected Francoist ideology. This was because people feared the police surveillance and repression that was used against the regime's opponents.
| SUPPORT FOR FRANCOISM | |
|---|---|
| The army | Many members of the military participated directly in government, holding positions in the various ministries. |
| The Falange Española Tradicionalista y de los JONS (Falange) | The Falange was the only political party permitted, and it exercised great power and influence. Its members held governmental positions and used state institutions to transmit the principles of Francoism to the population. |
| The Catholic Church | The church supported the regime, although in the 1960s one sector of the church distanced itself from the regime. This was a result of the influence of Vatican II (1962–1965). |
| Monarchists | Monarchists supported Franco during the civil war because they hoped he would restore the monarchy after the war. They were divided into two groups; the Carlists and the supporters of Don Juan, the son of Alfonso XIII. |
| Francoists | These were people who supported Franco. |
Domestic policy
Franco established a dictatorship. All political and military power was concentrated in his hands (he was head of state, head of the government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces). The Falange was the only political party that was permitted.
During the first decades of the dictatorship (1939–1959), Franco established an authoritarian regime by introducing the Fundamental Laws of the Realm: this was a set of laws dictated by Franco which regulated political life (such as the Organic Law of the State), as well as economic and labour relations (such as the Labour Charter). These laws replaced the Republican constitution.
In the later decades of the regime (1959–1975), it became more technocratic: politicians with technical training became more prominent. The regime's objective in this period was to modernise the country. Therefore Franco appointed specialists from various fields as ministers, including economics, health and education. He also designated Juan Carlos de Borbón as his successor.
Foreign policy
Two phases also characterised the regime's foreign policy.
These circumstances led to the signing of various agreements. In 1953 the concordat with the Vatican was signed, in which the regime granted the Catholic Church a range of privileges (such as economic support and considerable control over education) in return for church support for the regime and the right to nominate candidates to become bishops. In the same year the regime signed a military agreement with the United States. In return for the right to establish American military bases in Spain, the United States offered the regime substantial economic assistance. Shortly after these agreements, Spain was able to join the UN and other international bodies.
The Law of Historical Memory
On 27 December 2007, the Law of Historical Memory came into effect. This established [...] measures in favour of those who suffered persecution or violence during the Civil War and the dictatorship [...] (This law) required the government to investigate damages caused during the Civil War and the dictatorship, and grant financial recompense to the victims[...].
In addition to the law, two reports were written: the General Report, in which all activities in favour of the victims since the transition to democracy were listed, along with an analysis of the current situation, and the Report on the Archives, in which the condition of the archives containing documents relating to the victims was analysed.
http://www.memoriahistorica.gob.es
(Adapted and translated).
Economic self-sufficiency (1939–1959)
During the 1940s and 1950s Spain's economy was self-sufficient. Due to food shortages, the state intervened in the economy, introducing the rationing of basic goods and fixing prices. Other interventionist measures included:
Self-sufficiency caused the Spanish economy to stagnate. This was because it was difficult to import the machinery and petroleum necessary for industrial development.
Economic development (1959–1975)
Economic development began in Spain when the regime became more technocratic. The technocrats developed a set of measures to end self-sufficiency, promote the development of a market economy and increase production. This included the establishment of development zones in regions such as Valladolid (Renault) and Huelva (a refinery) to promote economic development.
Other factors also promoted economic development.
The measures introduced during this period led to economic growth and an improvement in people's living standards.
Opposing views of self-sufficiency
News report in the Odiel newspaper (10 April 1939)
The best and cheapest potato is the one from your garden. The best shoe, and the cheapest, is the one your neighbour, the shoemaker, made. The best marble, and the cheapest, is the marble from the factory in your village. The best newspaper is your town newspaper. The best air, the best water, the best views are those of your city. [...] Having your neighbours as your teachers, officials and apprentices, buying your leather, your cloth [...] Your village is rich in money and science. The sum of villages makes a nation. Self-sufficiency is riches and science, but not greed.
J. Ramírez Copeiro, Espías y neutrales, Huelva en la
II Guerra Mundial, Ed. Huelva (Adapted and translated)
Memorandum from Professor Starkey (November 1940)
War seems to have broken the spirit of the people. There is an atmosphere of bitter suffering, but, in my opinion, this is due above all to the lack of food. It is common to see men, women and even children faint in the street from lack of food. [...] I do not understand why a better system of food distribution cannot be found [...] Rationing does not provide the poor with the necessary food to keep body and soul together.
Various Authors. Pasado y Memoria, Revista de Historia
Contemporánea, no. 5 (Adapted and translated)
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Society under Franco  The traditional rural society which had existed during the early years of Franco's dictatorship was transformed into a modern urban society by the economic development of the 1960s. THE TRADITIONAL RURAL SOCIETY (1940–1960) During the early decades of the dictatorship, the Franco regime implemented a programme of indoctrination which was designed to promote traditional values (such as patriotism, Catholicism and the family). This was carried out by organisations controlled by the Falange, such as the Sección Femenina and the Frente de Juventudes, which educated young Spaniards about politics, physical education and religion in summer camps and courses. Women occupied a traditional family role of wife and mother. The Sección Femenina instructed them in the organisation of family life: taking care of their husbands, bringing up children, cooking, ironing and cleaning. In the post-war years, the mainly rural population suffered from food rationing. This led to the growth of the black market and speculation. The lack of economic development also led to high unemployment, especially in rural areas.
 THE MODERN URBAN SOCIETY (1960–1975) The economic development of the 1960s, combined with the Francoist birth-rate policy, led to a large increase in population (known as the baby boom). The population increased from 25 million to 35 million. This population growth in turn caused a rural exodus. People migrated to industrial zones, such as Madrid and Barcelona, and to tourist areas, such as Mallorca and Benidorm. In these areas there were more job opportunities. People also emigrated to other European countries with a shortage of workers, such as France, Switzerland and Germany. Rural areas suffered depopulation and cities grew. In some cities, such as Madrid, shanty towns began to appear on the outskirts of the city, and commuter towns developed. As a result Spain became a mainly urban society.
 Improved living standards enabled the growth of the middle class, which was able to spend money on consumer goods, cars (the Seat 600) and summer holidays. From the 1960s onwards, women began to enter the workforce. This signified a change from women's traditional role as wives and mothers to a more modern, independent role. This change was related to the expansion of tourism, advertising, television and cinema, all of which projected an image of women that was at odds with the Francoist vision.
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Activity 36
Remember
Activity 37
Understand
Activity 38
Listen and answer the questions about Eisenhower’s visit to Spain.
Activity 39
Make a mind map of the groups that supported the Franco regime, including their reasons for supporting it.
Activity 40
Summarise how Spain’s foreign policy developed in this period. Why did the Western Bloc become more favourable towards the Franco regime?
Activity 41
Evaluate
Activity 42
Understand
Activity 43
What were the causes of Spain’s economic development in the 1960s?
Activity 44
• What caused the rural exodus?
Activity 45
• What were the differences between the Frente de Juventudes and the Sección Femenina?
Activity 46
Apply
Activity 47
Analyse