Franco’s Regime: Ideals, Power, and Policies in Spain
Franco’s Regime: Ideals and Consolidation of Power
Franco established a new state based on the ideals of July 18th: the defense of class interests, the creation of social order, and the defense of corporate interests, all stemming from a reaction against perceived social chaos, communism, and anti-Catholicism. The regime’s foundation was victory in the Spanish Civil War. A coup d’état initiated a military dictatorship, concentrating all power in Franco himself. This dictatorship was a direct response to the Second Republic, liberalism, Freemasonry, socialism, and communism.
The coup was envisioned as swift and decisive, leading to a strongly centralized state inspired by the doctrines of the Church: National Catholicism and National Syndicalism.
The pillars of Franco’s regime were:
- The Army: Occupying key positions in government and administration.
- The Church: Closely identified with the new regime.
- The Falange: Initially the controlling party, later losing influence.
- Supporting Groups: Large landowners, industrialists, financiers, and the Catholic peasantry.
Political Power and the Falange in the 1940s
In the 1940s, Franco’s already immense political and military power was further augmented by a 1939 law granting him legislative authority. This facilitated a Falange-dominated government and a fascist framework for the regime. The Falange controlled information, owning the media and press. Attempts were made to institutionalize the regime through a draft organic law.
However, the Falange’s influence waned due to incidents like the Begoña Affair (where two grenades were thrown at Carlists) and the shifting tides of World War II.
Key Laws and the Structure of Franco’s State
A series of complex laws were enacted to suit the regime’s needs:
- The Labor Jurisdiction: Introduced National Syndicalism, a vertical unionism reacting against liberal capitalism and Marxist materialism. It structured labor relations and organized the new state’s economy.
- The Law Establishing the Cortes: Created the Cortes as a corporate chamber, not directly elected.
- The Spanish Charter (Fuero de los Españoles): Aimed to emulate democratic constitutions but contained limited rights and duties without guarantees.
- The National Referendum Law: Allowed the Head of State to submit draft laws developed by the Cortes to a referendum.
- The Law of Succession to the Headship of the State: Declared Spain a Catholic, social, and representative state. It established a Council of the Kingdom and Regency. Franco could propose a successor (with the title of King) to the Parliament, who had to swear allegiance to the fundamental laws. This law bypassed the hereditary line of Don Juan, who met with Franco in 1948 to arrange for Juan Carlos’s education in Spain. It was not a constitutional monarchy but a continuation of the dictatorship.
Franco’s Stance During World War II
Initially, during World War II, Franco declared neutrality. However, this shifted to a policy of “non-belligerency.” Spain signed a treaty with Germany, collaborating by providing resources like submarines, food, and tungsten. On October 23, 1940, Franco met with Hitler in Hendaye and signed a protocol committing Spain to enter the war on England’s side in exchange for Gibraltar. Spain also sent the Blue Division to fight against the Soviets.
Following the Allied landings in North Africa, and under pressure from the U.S. and Britain, Franco reverted to neutrality. International campaigns against Francoist Spain, led by leftist groups, were frequent. At Potsdam, the USSR, USA, and Britain rejected Spain’s request to join the UN. In 1946, France closed the Pyrenees border, and the UN recommended the withdrawal of ambassadors. Spanish diplomacy shifted towards the Arab world and Latin American countries, seeking understanding and support from anti-communist Catholics in Europe and the USA.
Economic Policy
The economic policy of the years…