Spain’s Franco Era & Cold War Timeline: Key Events 1939-1989

Posted on Jan 8, 2025 in International Relations

Spain’s Franco Era & Cold War Timeline

1939-1959: Autarchy and Isolationism

  • April 1, 1939: Franco ends the Spanish Civil War. Spain remains neutral in World War II.
  • 1946: The United Nations condemns Spain.
  • 1952: End of rationing in Spain.
  • 1953: Military and economic agreements between Spain and the United States.
  • 1955: Spain becomes a member of the United Nations.

1959-1975: Development and Opening

  • 1959: Implementation of the Stabilization Plan, aimed at developing industry and consumption. Founding of ETA.
  • 1966: Press Law introduced, allowing more flexibility despite censorship.
  • 1969: Juan Carlos is named successor to Franco.
  • 1973: ETA assassinates President Carrero Blanco.
  • 1975: Last executions ordered under Franco’s regime.
  • November 20, 1975: Death of Francisco Franco.

Cold War Events (1945-1989)

  • August 1945: Atomic bombs dropped by the USA on Japan.
  • March 1946: Churchill’s speech about the Iron Curtain.
  • 1947: Truman Doctrine is developed.
  • June 1947: Marshall Plan is initiated.
  • 1948-1949: Berlin Blockade.
  • 1949: Creation of NATO.
  • 1949: USSR’s first atomic bomb test.
  • 1950-1953: Korean War.
  • 1955: Allies declare the end of World War II.
  • 1955: Formation of the Warsaw Pact.
  • November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975: Vietnam War.
  • December 24, 1979 – February 15, 1989: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
  • June 1948 – May 1949: Berlin Blockade.
  • August 13, 1961 – November 9, 1989: Berlin Wall.
  • October 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis.