Franco’s Spain: Dictatorship, Civil War, and Transformation (1939-1959)
The Franco Dictatorship (1939-1959)
The Franco regime, arising from the Civil War, was a personal dictatorship where power was unquestioned. After World War II, the regime promoted anti-Catholic discourse, enabling its integration into the Western world. Despite these changes, the starting point was disastrous, marked by international isolation and the suppression of post-war exiles. Disappearances and limited production were rampant.
A Divided Spain
The Civil War left a Spain of winners and losers, accentuating the old division between Catholic and conservative Spain, and secular and progressive Spain. The winners, including landowners, financiers, and entrepreneurs, enjoyed all kinds of privileges.
Repression and Fear
Repression provoked fear in much of the population. The utilization of denunciations and strained relationships with Republicans created a climate of fear and self-censorship. Sectors of workers were implanted without recognition of freedom of expression, and conflict was no longer tolerated.
The Church’s Influence
The Company (likely referring to the Catholic Church) was directed by a highly traditionalist church early on and gained significant influence on the formation of society. Education and customs were regulated with rigorous vigilance. The family was one of the pillars of society, and the role of women was defined within the home. To maintain these principles, the Women’s Section and Social Service were established.
Political Structures
In 1942, the law courts were restored as a parliamentary body, but it lacked legislative powers. In 1945, the Referendum Law established the procedure for legal texts to be ratified. In 1947, the Law of Succession of Head of State was published, restoring the monarchy, but the dictator reserved the right to designate his successor.
Ideology and Control
The party became powerful, controlling surveillance of society. The main contribution of the military ideological regime was nacionalpatriotismo, a unified vision and tradition. Franco brought more innovative elements of illiberal and undemocratic Marxist ideals. The Church did not hesitate to support the rebels on July 18, 1936, blessing them as crusaders and martyrs who died for God and for Spain.
International Relations
The evolution of domestic politics is related to the outer world, particularly World War II (1939-1945). Spain initially sympathized with the Axis powers. From 1945-1952, Spain was not allowed to join the UN, and the UN General Assembly in 1946 adopted several resolutions condemning the government. Spain tried to avoid isolation with some changes, attempting to give a democratizing image outwards.
In 1953, bilateral agreements were signed with the U.S. for military and economic aid. In the same year, a new concordat with the Vatican recognized the power of the church on education and teaching.
Economic Policies
After the Civil War, a period of economic recession lasted until the mid-fifties. Anarchic politics aimed to achieve the highest degree of self-sufficiency. Restriction of imports and protection of Spanish industry, along with the organization from the top acts and distribution of grain, forced the producer to sell his entire harvest. In 1941, the National Institute of Industry was created.
Autarkic policies favored the interests of those social groups that had contributed to the victory of the war. However, autarkic policy provoked the decline of per capita income, the decrease of industrial production, and high inflation caused by the excessive printing of money.
Economic Recovery
In the early 1950s, a phase of economic recovery began, especially in the secondary sector. Between 1957 and 1959, a legislative package aimed at stabilizing economic reform was approved. These provisions included: the devaluation of the peseta to promote exports, limiting public spending and wage freezes, and tax increments.