The Franco Regime: Foundations, Support, and International Relations
The Creation of the Franco Regime
Ideological Foundations and Social Supports
The Franco regime was a right-wing authoritarian political regime that, despite the defeat of fascism in Europe in World War II, remained in power in Spain for almost 40 years. It began after Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War (April 1939) and ended with the dictator’s death (November 1975).
Throughout its duration, the regime was characterized as a dictatorship where Franco held absolute power. His leadership was never questioned by supporters, while opposition was never tolerated nor given any chance for integration.
Centralization of Power (1939-1959)
During the initial period, the foundations of the dictatorship were established. All power was centralized in Franco, who held the titles of Generalissimo of the armed forces, President of the single party, and Caudillo (“by the Grace of God”). The state was strongly centralized.
In the early years, Franco identified ideologically with German Nazism and Italian Fascism. The Falange Española Tradicionalista de las JONS provided the regime’s ideological framework. The only channel for participation in public life was the National Movement, encompassing the single party (FET de las JONS), the vertical union, public offices, and state agencies like the Youth Front and Women’s Section.
The system was corporate: natural entities (family, municipality, and union) were designated as the channels for political participation. Franco led the National Movement as National Chief.
Support for the Regime
Support for the regime came from economic and social elites (landowners, businessmen, bankers), the army, and the Catholic Church. Spain was a Catholic confessional state, and the Church received generous public funding in exchange for its support and legitimization of the dictator.
Political and External Environment
Repression and Exile
Republican laws were immediately repealed, including secular laws (divorce, civil marriage, and cemeteries) and the Constitution of 1931. A set of laws known as the “Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom” replaced them. The most important were:
- The Labour Law (1938)
- The Law of the Courts (1942)
- The Referendum Act (1945)
- The Jurisdiction of Spanish Law (1945)
- The Law of Succession to the Head of State
- The Principles of National Movement
Internal politics were marked by severe repression. Political parties and trade unions were banned, statutes of Basque and Catalan autonomy were abolished, languages other than Castilian were suppressed, and approximately 200,000 people were executed. Many others were imprisoned for political reasons, and academia and the civil service were purged. The persecution of “enemies of Spain” was based on the Law of Political Responsibilities and the Suppression of Communism and Freemasonry Act.
By the end of the Civil War, around 500,000 Spaniards had fled into exile. Many never returned, or did so only after democracy was restored. Republican political institutions remained functional in exile until 1977.
From Isolation to International Recognition
As the Civil War ended, Europe was on the brink of World War II. Spain left the League of Nations and joined the Anti-Comintern Pact. Although Spain did not officially join the Axis powers, it shifted from neutrality to “non-belligerency” in 1939 and sent the Blue Division, a volunteer corps, to fight alongside the Nazis against the Soviet Union. This cooled relations with the Allies.
After 1943, as the Axis powers began to lose, Spain returned to neutrality. The democratic wave in the post-war Western world led to Spain’s isolation. Its application to the UN was rejected, and most embassies withdrew from Spain. However, with the rise of the Cold War, the United States initiated a rapprochement with Franco’s regime due to his anti-communism.
By 1953, Spain signed the Concordat with the Holy See and agreements with the U.S., allowing for the establishment of military bases in exchange for economic aid. This marked a turning point in Spain’s international relations, culminating in its admission to the UN in 1955.
Internal Opposition and Succession
Opposition to the regime grew in the 1950s, with labor protests and student demonstrations. The influence of the Falange declined, and figures like Carrero Blanco and Lopez Rodo (Opus Dei) gained prominence, favoring Juan Carlos as Franco’s successor.
Franco as a Crusader
Franco viewed the “National Uprising” as a crusade against the “enemies” of Spain and the Catholic Church. He often invoked religious imagery and symbolism to legitimize his rule.