Franco’s Spain: Power, Politics, and International Relations

Franco’s Regime: Characteristics and Power Dynamics

Since the triumph of Franco after the Civil War, many historians have discussed the characteristics of the Franco regime and its similarities and differences with other contemporary dictatorships. Key features include: the lack of incorporation over the years, yet the continuous production of a communicative process of basic laws known as Fundamental Laws; the absence of political parties; the concentration of power in the hands of General Franco; the legislative power granted to the head of state to issue legal norms; and the existence of political families.

Political Forces and Families

Power was structured around political forces or families: the Falange, Catholics, monarchists, Carlists, technocrats of Opus Dei, and the military. The end of the Civil War marked the end of violence, but the new political system was based on a division between winners and losers. An estimated 500,000 violent deaths occurred during the war and its aftermath. Another key element was the Republican exile (about 450,000), a major demographic loss of a young and active population, including many of the country’s scientific, literary, and artistic elite.

Early Years and Ideological Influences

The state of war continued until 1948, imposing strict censorship and persecuting any political, religious, or ideological dissent. Franco carefully chose his ministers from different political families of the Nationalist side, without a clearly defined ideology. In 1939, Ramón Serrano Suñer initiated a fascist regime following the Italian model. Building on the Falange, he passed the statute of FET de las JONS, entrusted the university student union and its youth organization (Youth Front) with the indoctrination of youth, and imposed an economic policy inspired by Italian corporatism. However, this project failed due to opposition from other regime families, particularly the monarchists and most of the military, who favored the restoration of the monarchy. Franco always had the support of Luis Carrero Blanco.

Evolution and Institutionalization

Franco attempted to maintain good relations with the monarchist supporters of Don Juan de Borbón, the future king, engaging in biased dialogue. The Lausanne Manifesto of March 1945 further soured relations. Anarchists and Communists began guerrilla operations in the north against the regime. Franco used institutional means, such as the Spanish regime and the law of suspension, to project a false image of democracy. The Falange leader proposed laws to solidify his ideas, but Franco was reluctant, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy and monarchists expressed opposition. The conflict between the families became unbearable, leading to the replacement of 12 of 18 ministers in 1957. The Falange was sidelined in the government, and the power of Opus Dei rose. After the defeat of the Falange’s projects, Laureano López Rodó, an Opus Dei numerary, led the institutionalization of the system. López Rodó presented a bill on the legal regime of state administration based purely on administrative law, a far cry from the initial fascistizing projects.

Foreign Policy and International Relations

• Post-World War II: Initially, the new state was sympathetic to Germany and Italy, even considering entering the conflict. Spain declared neutrality on September 4, but Serrano, pressured by Italian fascist leaders, changed it to “non-belligerency.” The famous meeting between Hitler and Franco at Hendaye on October 23, 1940, failed to reach an agreement on partnership. Spain did not enter the war but sent the Blue Division to fight against the Soviets.
• Shift in Alliances: Growing U.S. and British pressure led to a gradual correction of Franco’s foreign policy. In October 1943, Franco proclaimed a return to neutrality. Spain was denied entry into the UN, and the regime was ostracized. To counter this, Franco strengthened relations with Latin American countries.
• Cold War and Reintegration: The rise of communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe and the onset of the Cold War weakened the ostracism policy. The United States began an approach that culminated in the three agreements forming the Madrid Pact of 1953. Negotiations with the Vatican led to the concordat of August 1953, recognizing the Spanish state.
• Morocco and Decolonization: A significant issue arose with Morocco. France granted independence to its area, and Spain followed suit shortly after. In late 1957, incidents in Sidi Ifni were suppressed by Franco-Spanish intervention in the peaceful territory.