Francoist Spain: Dictatorship, Repression, and Economic Hardship
1. Franco’s Dictatorship
1.1 Features of Francoism
The Franco regime, legitimized solely by the Civil War, was characterized by extreme authoritarianism.
Totalitarianism: Inspired by Italian Fascism and German Nazism, the Franco dictatorship abolished the 1931 Constitution, along with individual and collective guarantees. Parliament was dissolved, and political parties and unions were banned.
Caudillismo: Franco, as Caudillo of Spain, held absolute power. He was head of state, prime minister, and Generalissimo
Read MoreThe Rise of Fascism and Authoritarianism in Europe
Axis Powers Timeline
Key Events (1920-1933)
- 1920: Formation of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party)
- 1921: Assassination of Eduardo Dato
- 1922: Establishment of the Irish Free State
- 1923: Occupation of the Ruhr by France
- 1924: Death of Vladimir Lenin
- 1930: Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera in Spain
- 1931: Formation of the British Commonwealth
- 1932: Assassination of Domar in France
- 1933: Rise of António de Oliveira Salazar in Portugal
Fascism and its Context: The Authoritarian Right
In the early
Read MoreSpanish Political History: Oligarchy, Catalan Nationalism, and UGT Manifesto
Oligarchy and Caciques
This informative text, written by Joaquin Costa, a prominent figure in the Regenerationist movement, delves into the corrupt political landscape of the Restoration period in Spain. Costa criticizes the oligarchs and local political bosses (caciques) who controlled the electoral system, manipulating votes and undermining democracy.
These powerful figures, often landowners or church officials, exerted undue influence over the population, ensuring their continued dominance. Costa
Read MorePolitical Transition in Spain (1975-1982)
Principles of Political Transition (1975-1977)
Context
1973: The death of Carrero Blanco raised questions about the continuation of the Franco regime. After Franco’s death in 1975, Arias Navarro’s failed projects made it clear that continuing the regime would be impossible.
- The system was based on Franco’s rule and the Organic Law of the State, which granted him absolute power. After his death, power was in the hands of the President and the Courts, but King Juan Carlos I aimed to adapt the system
Liberal Revolution in Spain (1833-1868)
Item 2: Liberal Revolution in the Reign of Isabel II (1833-1868)
During the reign of Isabel II (1833-1868), Spain underwent a process of liberal revolution. This period began with a long civil war between the Carlists (absolutists) and the Isabelinos (liberals) due to a dynastic conflict over the succession that began with the death of Fernando VII. A new ruling class, the agrarian bourgeoisie, emerged from the alliance between the old landed gentry and the new bourgeoisie. This class controlled
Read MoreThe Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
ITEM 9: THE CIVIL WAR (1936-1939) Following continued confrontation and revolutionary actions by both the right and left, the Spanish Civil War broke out. Two theories have been put forward to explain the Spanish Civil War: the theory of war as a consequence of fascist intervention and the theory of war as a result of a justified reaction by Spanish industry to curb international communism.
Attempts at coups, such as the Sanjurjo uprising, did not resurface until 1934 when representatives of the
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