The Francoist Dictatorship (1959-1975): Social, Political, and Economic Aspects
Political Aspects
In the 1950s, the Franco regime initiated a policy shift, particularly after 1957 when Opus Dei technocrats were appointed as government ministers. These individuals would exert significant influence on Spain in the 1970s. However, this change did not alter the dictatorial and undemocratic nature of the regime itself, but rather its economic policy, which abandoned autarky.
The main features of the Franco regime (1959-1975) were:
- A government of Opus Dei technocrats: The aim was to liberalize the Spanish economy by opening it to the outside world and integrating it into the Western capitalist market.
- The State Act of 1967: This was the last Basic Law and intended as a summary of all previous laws. Franco presented it as the final Constitution, but it was not. It was approved by the undemocratic Spanish Courts, which lacked the legitimacy to establish a genuine rule of law.
- The laws of succession of the Head of State (1947 and 1969): In 1947, the Law of Succession to the Head of State declared that the Spanish State was constituted as a kingdom. The following year, an agreement was reached with Juan de Borbón for his son, Juan Carlos, to be educated in Spain. In 1969, Juan Carlos de Borbón swore allegiance to the principles of the Movement before the Spanish Courts and received the title of Prince of Spain.
Economic Aspects
During this stage of technocracy and development, the Spanish economy underwent a profound transformation. The favorable international economic environment allowed for Spain’s industrial development.
Since 1959, major economic updates included:
- Stabilization Plan of 1959: This plan marked the end of autarky and the granting of loans to Spain by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Spanish-US exchange agreement opened the Spanish economy to foreign investment and goods. By 1961, the Stabilization Plan had succeeded, boosting Spain’s industrialization and its integration into the international economy.
- Three Development Plans (1964, 1968, and 1971): These had two objectives: a) address structural deficiencies and b) create development poles to reduce regional economic imbalances by promoting new industries in areas of low industrialization. However, these targets were rarely met.
- Industrial development and its impact: In the 1970s, industry and services experienced significant growth in Spain, leading to a substantial rural exodus and the simultaneous mechanization of agriculture. The Spanish economic miracle of the 1960s was fueled by income from tourism, foreign investment, and remittances. The main beneficiaries were banks and large industrial groups. However, in the early 1970s, per capita income was still significantly lower than that of Europe’s most advanced economies.
Social and Cultural Aspects
From a social point of view:
- Labor surplus led to internal and external emigration.
- Despite technological improvements, a surplus of manual labor and the threat of job losses caused an increase in unemployment.
- Internal migration, particularly the rural exodus, occurred.
- Mass emigration to Europe took place.
As a result, Spain underwent significant social changes:
- Increasing urban population
- Rise of the middle classes
- New social and cultural behaviors
- Separation of the Church from the Regime
Opposition to Franco
During the 1960s, anti-Franco opposition grew due to these social changes. The new labor movement, the new urban bourgeoisie, and the university spearheaded this opposition.
- The new labor movement: The UGT and CCOO infiltrated the Francoist vertical unions as clandestine organizations. The CNT practically disappeared during this period. The PCE and PSOE also continued to operate in secrecy, along with other parties like the PSP, ORT, and MC.
- The progressive bourgeoisie: For the first time, representatives of the Spanish opposition in exile and within the country came together.
- The university: Student organizations with diverse political tendencies emerged. There were mass demonstrations in the streets and a large increase in labor strikes.
Final Crisis of the Regime
All the economic and social changes were not accompanied by political change in the Franco regime, which accentuated its final crisis with the assassination of Luis Carrero Blanco by the ETA terrorist group in December 1973.
From this moment, two trends emerged within the regime: the immobilists and the aperturistas. However, the regime was incapable of democratizing itself. One of the most important events was the constitution of the Democratic Board. In its final years, the regime increased its repression and enacted a new anti-terrorism law used to convict activists. Five ETA and FRAP members were executed.