Franco’s Spain: Regime Formation and Ideological Foundations
1. THE NEW REGIME
1.1. The New Regime
At the end of the Civil War, Franco established a new state throughout Spain, emerging from the Nationalist side. Initially, Franco adopted Falange fascist costumes, but it was a conservative military dictatorship supported by the social and political right: Catholics, monarchists, Carlists, and Falangists.
The system centered on Franco’s dictatorship, concentrating all power (executive, legislative, judicial, Head of State, and army). Gradually, several Organic Laws, known as the Fundamental Laws of the Movement, were approved:
a) The Labour Law (1938): Based on the Italian Carta di Lavoro, it regulated workplace relations, prohibiting class unions and establishing vertical unions controlled by the Falange. Membership was compulsory, and elections were controlled by Franco’s appointees.
b) Law Courts (July 1942): Created to simulate people’s participation in governance through the Courts, formed by representatives of unions, families, and municipalities. These courts had no legislative power, which remained with Franco.
c) The Jurisdiction of the Spanish (1945): An apparent declaration of citizens’ rights, limited by regime principles. The government could suspend these rights if deemed necessary.
d) National Referendum Act (1945): Allowed direct consultation of citizens over 21, determined by Franco.
e) Law of Succession to the Head of State (1947): Defined Spain as a Catholic monarchy and allowed Franco to appoint his successor.
f) Law Principles of the Movement (1958): Institutionalized Falangist doctrine and recognized the Falange as the single party.
g) Organic Law of the State (1967): The most important political source, consolidating earlier laws.
1.2. Ideological Foundations
Franco lacked a clear political program, integrating disparate ideological elements. The Civil War was used to justify the regime.
1.2.1. Authoritarianism: Power was concentrated in Franco, with unwavering commitment to the leader.
1.2.2. Anti-liberalism: Rejection of liberal ideas, parliamentary democracy, and division of powers. Political parties were banned, and a single party, the Falange, was established.
1.2.3. Anticommunism: Repression of communists, socialists, anarchists, and any progressive or democratic movements.
1.2.4. Nationalism:
1.2.4.1. National Centralism: Rejection of regional autonomy and promotion of Castilian Spanish.
1.2.4.2. Traditionalism: Based on historical grandeur, often adulterated.
1.2.4.3. National-Catholicism: Catholicism as the state religion, influencing social policy and morality.
1.2.4.4. Military: The army as the guarantor of national unity and a model of hierarchy and discipline.
The regime was supported by small and medium owners, the middle class, the oligarchy, the army, and the clergy.
2. REPRESSION, GUERRILLA, EXILE
2.1.1. Repression
Repression affected all areas: ideology, expression, association, customs, and language. The Press Law (1938), Law of Political Responsibility (1939), Law on Suppression of Freemasonry and Communism (1940), and State Security Law (1943) were used to suppress dissent. Thousands were imprisoned and used as forced labor.
2.1.2. Opposition: The Maquis
Anti-Franco guerrillas harassed security forces but posed no real threat. The most significant intervention, in the Aran Valley (1944), failed.
2.1.3. Exile
Many Republicans went into exile, mainly in France and Latin America. Intellectuals contributed to the development and reconstruction from exile.
3. The International Situation
The Regime during WWII (1939-1945): Spain declared neutrality, then non-belligerency favoring Germany and Italy, returning to neutrality in 1943.
The System after WWII (1945-1950): The UN isolated Franco’s regime. The Cold War led to Spain becoming a useful ally. Agreements with the US and the Vatican ended isolation.
Consolidation (1951-1959): Spain joined international agencies and received US support, ending diplomatic isolation.
4. Economic Autarky
4.1. Autarky
Spain pursued economic self-sufficiency through state intervention, creating the INI (1941), using domestic raw materials, protecting agriculture, and setting tariff barriers.
Result: Economic regression, black market, and corruption.
4.2. The 1950s: End of Autarky
Partial liberalization of prices and trade led to economic expansion. US aid facilitated industrial development. In 1957, technocrats of Opus Dei introduced the Stabilization Plan (1959).