Key Events in Francoist Spain: A Concise History
Key Events in Francoist Spain
National Institute of Industry (INI)
The National Institute of Industry (INI) was a state entity created by Juan Antonio Suances to promote industrial development in Spain. It was established during Franco’s period of autarky (1939-1959) by law on September 25, 1941. Its aim was to foster the creation of new industrial enterprises and act as a secure and active force in promoting national development within an autarkic economic vision.
National Catholicism
National Catholicism describes one of the defining ideologies of Franco’s dictatorial regime (1936-1975). Its most visible aspect was the Catholic Church’s dominance in all areas of public and private life.
The Green March
In October 1973, King Hassan II of Morocco organized the Green March during Franco’s final days. This was a peaceful mass mobilization of tens of thousands of civilians to claim the Spanish Sahara. Amidst the potential for conflict, Spain chose to yield, and on November 14, the Madrid Accords were signed, transferring control of the Spanish Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.
Munich Conspiracy
The term Munich Conspiracy was a pejorative label coined by the Falange newspaper Arriba to ridicule the Fourth Congress of the European Movement. Held in Munich between June 6 and June 8, 1962, amidst a wave of miners’ strikes in Asturias, the congress was attended by 118 Spanish politicians from various anti-Franco factions, both inside and outside Spain, excluding the Communist Party of Spain. Participants included liberal monarchists, democrats, socialists, social democrats, and Basque and Catalan nationalists.
Burgos Process
The Burgos Process was a summary trial held on December 3, 1970, in Burgos, involving sixteen individuals charged with capital offenses, including the killing of three people and membership in the terrorist organization ETA. The trial, its consequences, the subsequent commutation of sentences, and the international outcry, demonstrations, and solidarity acts, along with support from the Catholic Church, marked a pivotal moment in the final years of Franco’s regime, pointing towards a democratic transition.
University Events of 1956
While creating this new unionism, college student organizations appeared official in front of the Spanish University Union. Membership was obligatory. In February 1956, the first student incidents occurred in Madrid, resulting in serious injuries. These groups had diverse political tendencies, with some linked to parties like the socialist university group or adhering to new movements like the popular liberation front. Social associations, neighborhood groups, cultural groups, and religious groups emerged. The 1960s saw the first appearances in the streets and an extraordinary increase in labor conflicts.
Spain’s Accession to the EU
On January 1, 1986, Spain became a full member of the European Union. This required the country to open its economy, leading to a significant increase in foreign investment to modernize Spain and increased competition for Spanish companies.
Press Laws
From 1874 onwards, a series of provisions restricted press freedom, subjecting it to prior censorship and leading to the suspension of newspapers that displeased the government.