Franco’s Regime: Spain Under a Military Dictatorship
1. Franco: A Military Dictatorship
The regime of Francisco Franco (1939-1975) was a dictatorship characterized by opposition to communism and liberal democracy, and the defense of traditionalism and unity in Spain.
A Totalitarian Regime
Franco was head of state and held the title of “Caudillo” (Leader) in Spain. He concentrated all executive, legislative, and judicial power. He was also the supreme commander of all the armies.
All parties, unions, and political associations were outlawed, and their members were persecuted and imprisoned. Only one party was allowed, the Traditionalist Spanish Falange and of the Councils of the National Syndicalist Offensive (FET y de las JONS), of which Franco was the leader. The National Trade Union, which integrated employers and workers, was also dependent on the FET y de las JONS.
Courts and democratic elections were abolished. Franco legislated by decree-law, giving himself lifetime power and the right to appoint his successor. The 1931 Constitution and democratic freedoms, both individual and collective, were also abolished.
The Statutes of Autonomy of Catalonia and the Basque Country were also abolished.
The Fundamental Laws
The dictatorship attempted to project an image of legality to make its laws and institutions appear democratic, which they were not. The Charter of the Workers (Fuero del Trabajo) established the labor principles of the new regime, but prohibited free trade unions and strikes.
The Constitutive Act of the Spanish Parliament created a consultative assembly (Cortes), which had no legislative power and whose members were not elected by universal suffrage.
The Charter of the Spanish (Fuero de los Españoles) was a pseudo-declaration of civil rights, the National Referendum Act contemplated referendums for certain laws, and the Law of Succession provided for a monarchy as the successor to Franco.
The Social Support of Franco
Those who supported the regime, guaranteeing its power and influence, were the upper bourgeoisie, the army, and the Catholic Church.
- Big Bourgeoisie: Landowners, bankers, and businessmen had carte blanche to exercise their economic dominance. The Republican agrarian reform was canceled, and industrial relations were placed under the Ministry of Labor.
- Army: Having won the war, the army ensured the continuity of the regime, and its members held many political positions in major companies.
- Catholic Church: The Church established a confessional state. Divorce was abolished, religious marriage was made compulsory again, religious education was introduced, and the clergy received a budget.
Foreign Relations
The Franco regime changed its international allies over the years. Three main stages can be identified:
- From 1939: Unconditional support for the fascist powers (Germany and Italy). Without intervening in World War II, the Spanish government sent a group of volunteers, the “Blue Division,” to the Eastern Front to support Germany.
- The Defeat of Fascism (1945): This stage provoked international isolation. The Franco regime was condemned by the UN, which recommended the withdrawal of ambassadors from all democratic states from Spain.
- Breaking the Isolation (1953): Spain negotiated a collaboration agreement with the United States and signed the Concordat with the Vatican.
This marked a new phase of international recognition of Franco. Spain became a faithful ally of American policy against the Soviet Union.