Franco’s Dictatorship in Spain: Repression and Ideology
1. Franco’s Dictatorship
1.1. Characteristics of the Franco Regime
The Franco regime, legitimized by the Spanish Civil War, was characterized by extreme authoritarianism. Key features include:
- Totalitarianism: Modeled on Italian Fascism and German Nazism, it abolished the 1931 Constitution and all democratic guarantees. Only a single party and an official trade union were permitted.
- Dictatorship: Franco held absolute power as Head of State, Chairman of the Government, Generalissimo of the Armed Forces, and National Party Leader.
- Unitary and Centralist Conception: The regime abolished regional autonomy and promoted a unified Spanish identity.
- Repression of the Opposition: Supporters of the Republic faced persecution.
- Control of the Media: Media outlets were used as propaganda tools for the Franco regime.
1.2. Pillars of the Regime
The Franco regime was supported by three main pillars:
- The Army: The military played an active role in maintaining power.
- The Single Party: The Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS provided the regime’s ideological foundation, controlled the media, and filled administrative positions. It also established mass organizations like the Youth Front, the Women’s Section, the Spanish University Syndicate, and the National Central Trade Union.
- The Catholic Church: Spain was declared a Catholic confessional state. The Church received generous public funding and controlled the education system.
1.3. Social Support
Social attitudes towards the regime varied, ranging from support and passivity to resistance.
- Support: Economic and social elites who regained their power backed the regime, as did small and medium landowners.
- Passivity: The middle classes, traumatized by the war and social upheaval, largely remained passive and apolitical.
- Resistance: Some popular sectors opposed Franco, but fear and hardship often led to political passivity.
1.4. “Families” of the Regime
The Franco regime’s political structure relied on groups that demonstrated unconditional support for the leader and formed the National Movement. These included Falangists, Carlists, Alfonsine monarchists, and ultra-Catholics. The Church also created Catholic-inspired associations like the National Catholic Association of Propagandists and Opus Dei.
2. Institutionalized Repression
2.1. Tools of Repression
During the war, the rebels aimed to eliminate all opposition. They unleashed indiscriminate violence against Republicans. After the war, repression became institutionalized:
- Laws and Justice: Laws were enacted to suppress dissent, and the justice system was subservient to the government. The Law of Political Responsibilities targeted those who had collaborated with the Republic. The Law of Suppression of Communism and Freemasonry aimed to persecute those with ideas contrary to the regime’s ideology.
- Courts and Trials: The Court of Public Order was established to handle political offenses. Most cases were tried by military courts-martial.
- Prisons and Concentration Camps: The regime imprisoned an estimated 150,000 people. Overcrowding led to the establishment of concentration camps with harsh conditions that resulted in deaths.
- Labor Battalions: Disciplinary Battalions of Soldier Workers were created, forcing prisoners to engage in infrastructure projects like road and bridge construction.
The repression was characterized by exemplary punishment and aimed to spread terror, creating an atmosphere of fear and silence.
2.2. Seizure of Property and Purges
Repressive measures were accompanied by widespread confiscation of property belonging to Republicans. These assets were used to enrich the regime’s institutions.
- Purges: Republicans were expelled from their jobs, and purges were carried out in public administration. Only those who demonstrated loyalty to the National Movement retained their positions.
- Education: Purges were also conducted in public schools. Exiles and those accused of abandoning their posts were automatically dismissed.
2.3. Repression of Nationalities
In Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia, the regime banned demonstrations and persecuted non-Castilian languages and cultures.
- Language and Culture: Catalan, Galician, and Basque were deemed unsuitable for public life. Regulations prohibited their use in education and administration. However, these measures failed to suppress Catalan, Basque, and Galician identities.
- Exile: Many intellectuals and professionals committed to nationalism were forced into exile. The regime associated these cultures with anti-Franco activism.