Spanish Opposition to Franco’s Regime (1939-1948)
Early Opposition (1939-1948)
Following the Spanish Civil War, political organizations and unions were severely weakened due to exile and repression. The hardships of World War II further fueled dissent, leading to the emergence of early opposition groups.
Initial resistance consisted of uncoordinated guerrilla actions, known as maquis, primarily composed of Republican army veterans, operating in mountainous areas. The Communist Party of Spain (PCE) attempted to organize these groups, culminating in the brief occupation of the Aran Valley in September 1944.
Meanwhile, in exile, disagreements among Republican factions hindered organized opposition. Distrust between Republicans, Socialists, and Communists, along with internal conflicts within the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party), hampered coordination. After the death of Manuel Azaña, the former president of the Second Spanish Republic, similar divisions emerged among Republicans.
The Allied victory and the international blockade against Franco’s regime raised hopes among exiled Republicans and monarchists. Exiled Republicans formed the National Alliance of Democratic Forces.
Some Francoist sectors and members of the aristocracy, concerned about the regime’s corruption, favored restoring the monarchy under Juan de Borbón, son of Alfonso XIII. In March and December 1945, Juan de Borbón issued manifestos denouncing the Franco regime and proposing a traditional monarchy as an alternative. However, relations between Juan de Borbón and Franco remained strained. Juan de Borbón agreed to send his son, Juan Carlos, to Spain for education under Franco’s supervision, potentially paving the way for a future restoration.
With the realization that the Allies would not actively overthrow Franco, the PCE adopted a policy of demobilization, effectively ending the guerrilla movement. However, small groups from the PCE, PSOE, and CNT (National Confederation of Labour) remained active within Spain, facing continued arrests and executions throughout the 1940s.
The dictatorship’s abuses led to strikes and protests. These initially small groups of dissenters gradually grew as the dictatorship consolidated its power, eventually shifting their focus from dismantling the Francoist state to other forms of resistance.
Opposition in Catalonia
Opposition to the Franco regime in Catalonia took various forms, from clandestine Catalan language instruction and cultural affirmation to armed resistance.
Contact with exiled opposition groups proved difficult, but efforts were made to maintain some Republican institutions. Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) sought a replacement for their leader, Josep Irla.
During World War II, some Catalan exiles joined the Allied forces, hoping to contribute to the overthrow of Franco and the restoration of the Republic.
Within Catalonia, opposition groups included worker organizations (CNT, POUM, PSUC) and Catalan nationalists (ERC), along with newer organizations like the National Front of Catalonia and the Catalan National Council of Democracy.
Spontaneous worker protests also emerged in various towns.
Key Terms
- Debugging of Officials:
- Franco’s repression targeting officials deemed disloyal to the new regime.
- Freemasonry:
- A philosophical and philanthropic organization, severely persecuted by Franco.
- Law of Succession:
- The law granting Franco the power to appoint his successor as head of state.
- Blue Division:
- A military unit of Spanish volunteers who fought alongside German forces against the Soviet Union.
- Autarky:
- An economic policy emphasizing self-sufficiency and minimizing international trade.
Key Figures
- Juan de Borbón y Battenberg (1913-1993):
- Son of King Alfonso XIII, inherited dynastic rights to the Spanish crown in 1933. Allowed his son, Juan Carlos, to be educated in Spain under Franco’s supervision from 1948. Abdicated his rights in favor of Juan Carlos in 1977.
- Josep Irla i Bosch (1874-1958):
- Mayor of Sant Feliu de Guíxols and President of the Parliament of Catalonia. Exiled to France in 1939.
- Ramón Serrano Súñer (1901-2003):
- Lawyer and politician, influential collaborator of Franco.