UN Resolution on Franco’s Spain: 1946 Analysis
UN Resolution on Relations with Spain (1946)
Historical Context
This document contains the principal parts of a resolution, an agreement approved by the UN General Assembly on December 12, 1946, in New York. This was a year after the end of the Second World War (1939-1945), won by the Allied powers (Britain, France, the USA, and the USSR). The UN, an international body recently created by the victorious countries, aimed to preserve world peace, resolve international conflicts without resorting to arms, and provide humanitarian aid when necessary.
Resolution’s Main Points
The resolution primarily discusses the inability to admit the Franco regime into the United Nations. Spain did not join the UN until 1955, due to improved relations with the United States during the Cold War.
The aim of the text is to pressure the Franco regime to quickly establish a democratic principality. The text can be divided into two premises and three recommendations: a prohibition, an ultimatum, and a measure of pressure.
Premises
- The General Assembly viewed Franco’s regime as fascist in origin, nature, structure, and general behavior.
- The second paragraph alleges that Franco lent support to the Axis powers during World War II.
Recommendations
- Prohibition: The UN believed that the new Francoist state did not represent the majority of the Spanish people and recommended prohibiting Spain from belonging to international bodies created by the United Nations.
- Ultimatum: The General Assembly recommended that the Security Council take action if, within a reasonable time, a new government was not established in Spain. This new government should recognize national sovereignty, respect fundamental freedoms of expression, religion, and assembly, and allow the basic principles of any democracy: elections and political pluralism.
- Measure of Pressure: The UN recommended the withdrawal of ambassadors accredited in Madrid to push for political change towards democracy in Spain. Consequently, Spain was not admitted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nor did it receive Marshall Plan benefits.
Impact on Spain in the 1940s
The 1940s were marked by famine and rationing of staples (rice, potatoes, oil, etc.). Ration cards were used to distribute these goods, but they did not cover families’ needs. This led to a black market where goods were sold for double or triple the appraised price.
During these years, the regime based its economic policy on autarky, avoiding foreign imports and attempting to meet the population’s needs with Spanish products. Autarky was a failure, and Spain had to import food to alleviate hunger.
Consequences of the UN Resolution
The UN Resolution, with its economic and diplomatic pressure on Franco’s Spain, exacerbated the supply problems faced by cities in the critical years from 1947 to 1949, particularly impacting the lower classes.