Franco’s Regime (1939–1975)
- Franco ruled Spain as a fascist-style authoritarian dictator after the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939).
- Political repression
- Banned political parties (except his own Falange)
- Censored media
- Imprisoned and executed opponents.
- Economic policy
- Initially autarkic (self-sufficient), leading to shortages and stagnation in the 1940s–50s
- Opened up in the 1960s with foreign investment and tourism.
- Social policy:
- Strong Catholic influence
- Strict censorship
- Traditional gender roles reinforced.
- Foreign policy:
- Neutral in WWII, but leaned toward Axis early
- Later aligned with the West during the Cold War
Tip
- Always connect Franco’s policies to control and stability, even when they brought some economic growth.
Common Mistake
- Do not call Franco a Nazi. He was authoritarian and conservative but not fully aligned ideologically with Hitler.
Juan Carlos (1975–1982)
- Franco died in 1975
- King Juan Carlos I restored democracy instead of continuing dictatorship.
- 1978 Constitution:
- Established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy
- Legalized political parties
- Decentralized power to autonomous regions.
- Faced threats from hardline Francoists and separatist movements like ETA.
- 1981: Attempted military coup failed, with Juan Carlos appearing on TV to defend democracy.
Historiography
- Pro-Juan Carlos view: Seen as the key figure in Spain’s peaceful democratic transition (La Transición).
- Structural view: Economic and social modernization in the 1960s made dictatorship unsustainable.
Tip
- Show continuity and change. Some Francoist officials stayed in power temporarily, but the system shifted dramatically.
Political, Economic, and Social Developments (1982–2000)
- 1982: Socialist Party (PSOE) under Felipe González won elections, ushering in major reforms.
- Economic modernization
- Joined the EEC (EU) in 1986
- Major infrastructure projects
- Improved trade.
- Social reforms
- Expanded healthcare, education, and welfare
- Legal reforms for gender equality.
- Challenges
- High unemployment (especially youth)
- Basque separatist violence, corruption scandals.
- 1996: Conservative Popular Party (PP) under José María Aznar took power, focusing on privatization and economic liberalization.
Common Mistake
- Overlooking economic integration into Europe (this was central to Spain’s modernization.)
- Treating social change as an afterthought. It’s often a separate part of the markscheme.
Exam technique
- Structure essays chronologically for transition topics
- dictatorship → transition → democracy.
- Integrate leaders into analysis
- Franco for authoritarianism
- Juan Carlos for transition
- González/Aznar for modernization.
- Compare Spain’s transition to another European democracy if the question allows (shows comparative skill).
Case study
The 1978 Spanish Constitution
Context
- After Franco’s death (1975), Spain needed a legal framework to replace dictatorship with democracy.
- King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez led pact-based negotiations with political parties, including former Francoists and the opposition.
- In December 1978, the Constitution was approved by a referendum.
Key Features
- Parliamentary Monarchy
- King as head of state
- Prime Minister as head of government.
- Bicameral Parliament
- Congress of Deputies and Senate.
- Political Pluralism
- Legalization of all political parties, including communists.
- Autonomous Communities
- Regional self-government (e.g., Catalonia, Basque Country).
- Civil Liberties —
- Freedom of speech, press, and association guaranteed.
Significance
- Cemented Spain’s peaceful democratic transition (La Transición).
- Balanced central authority with regional autonomy to reduce separatist tensions.
- Signaled Spain’s readiness to join the EEC and integrate into Western Europe.
Exam technique
When using this case study in Paper 3:
- Mention it as a key turning point in Spain’s democratization.
- Show how inclusivity in drafting prevented civil conflict.
- Link to long-term impacts like EU membership and political stability.
