Francoist Spain: International Relations & Evolution
Francoist Spain: International Relations and Evolution
World War II and the Hegemony of National Syndicalism (1939-1945)
At the beginning of World War II (September 1939), Franco declared Spain’s neutrality despite showing support for the Axis powers who had aided him during the Civil War. Domestically, the Falange, a Spanish political party, held a hegemonic role in the new state, aiming to establish National Syndicalism in Europe.
The Non-belligerence
Germany’s victory over France led Spain to transition from neutrality to non-belligerence, providing diplomatic and economic support to the Axis powers. Germany and Italy explored the possibility of Spain joining the war, leading to meetings between Franco, Hitler, and Mussolini. Ultimately, Spain did not enter the war but assisted the war effort by sending strategic materials and supplies. Additionally, a volunteer unit (Blue Division) was sent to fight alongside German troops in the USSR, and around 10,500 Spaniards were sent to work in Germany.
The Return to Neutrality
By October 1943, the tide of the war had turned against the Axis powers. The Blue Division was withdrawn and dissolved, and Spain returned to a status of strict neutrality. This marked a shift towards a Catholic, anti-conservative regime that could potentially evolve into a monarchy at the opportune moment. This new phase involved the marginalization of the Falange from important positions within the regime and the abandonment of overtly fascist nomenclature and rituals.
The Years of International Boycott (1945-1947)
The end of World War II brought a period of international isolation and rejection for the Franco regime. The United Nations condemned the regime, the French government closed the border with Spain, and a United Nations General Assembly agreement recommended the withdrawal of ambassadors from Madrid. The persistence of the Franco regime after the war had significant economic and political costs. The resulting international isolation limited the aid Spain received. Consequently, Franco’s Spain could not benefit from the Marshall Plan, the US aid program for Europe, and was excluded from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), established in 1949.
International Recognition and Dominance of National Catholicism (1947-1953)
Since 1937, the emergence of two opposing blocs (USSR and USA) and the beginning of the Cold War significantly altered the international landscape. Although verbal condemnations of Franco persisted, they gradually gave way to international acceptance of the regime. The United States refused to impose new sanctions on Spain, and the UN was pressured not to ratify its condemnation from the previous year. Sensing this shift, Franco decided to restructure the government to facilitate rapprochement with Western powers and achieve foreign policy successes. The new government ushered in a period characterized by the predominance of National Catholicism, giving greater weight to Catholics. Franco secured definitive international recognition for the regime by signing agreements with the United States and a concordat with the Holy See. The Vatican demanded changes to explicitly reinstate the confessional state and grant considerable privileges to the Catholic Church. The agreements with the United States covered defense and economic aspects, with both countries committing to mutual assistance in case of conflict. The Americans gained the right to establish and operate military installations on Spanish soil. In return, Spain received military equipment to modernize its armed forces, as well as economic and technical assistance. The agreements with the United States paved the way for the normalization of diplomatic and commercial relations between Spain and the Western bloc.
The First Attempts to Open
By the mid-1950s, many internal problems remained unresolved. The economic situation was challenging, with slow production growth and a standard of living in Spain significantly lower than in other European countries. Between 1956 and 1958, a wave of labor protests erupted in some cities, alongside the first signs of dissent in universities. Within the regime, pressure mounted from those advocating for a profound change in economic direction. The rise in social protest and the evolving international relations forced Franco to make further changes to the government. In 1957, Franco initiated another government restructuring, continuing the trend started in 1951, by sidelining the Falangists and promoting the Catholic sector. Ministers were appointed from Opus Dei (the so-called technocrats). This new generation of politicians set the stage for the next phase of the Franco regime, characterized by strong economic growth in the 1960s.