Spain from Dictatorship to Democracy (1939-1982): The Long Postwar Era

The Inception of the Francoist State and the Long Postwar Era ($1939-1956$)

Following the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, General Francisco Franco established a totalitarian dictatorial regime in Spain. This new political order was deeply rooted in the ideology of fascism and integrated various elements from the most traditionalist sectors of the Spanish right-wing. The establishment of this State signaled a formal stance that was diametrically opposed to the liberal democracies of the Western world. This period, known as the long postwar era, saw the complete restructuring of Spanish society and governance according to autocratic principles.

The Nature of the Totalitarian Dictatorship and the Concentration of Authority

The political regime imposed by General Franco was structured entirely around the figure of the leader. As the Head of State, Franco concentrated all forms of power within his own authority, effectively eliminating any system of checks and balances. His official titles included being the Head of State, the Caudillo of Spain, and the Generalissimo of the Armies. This centralization allowed him to personal control the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of the State.

Politically, the regime permitted only one legal political party: the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS. This organization would later undergo a name change to be known as the National Movement (Movimiento Nacional). The social base supporting the regime was comprised of the most conservative sectors of Spanish society, specifically the high bourgeoisie, the Military, and the Catholic Church.

Primary Strategic Objectives of the Francoist Dictatorship

The dictatorship pursued two priority objectives to maintain control over the nation. The first was the total suppression of liberties. This resulted in the nullification of all individual and collective rights, including the freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of manifestation, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. The second objective was the absolute elimination of opposition. A brutal repressive policy was implemented against those who had supported the Second Republic. These individuals were subjected to various forms of state violence, including execution and imprisonment.

Furthermore, the regime conducted a thorough purge of the State Administration. This involved the systematic removal of any civil servants who were suspected of not being fully aligned or "adept" to the fascist regime. As a consequence of this environment of persecution, a large number of Spaniards chose the path of exile. Additionally, many of the individuals who had already fled the country during the Civil War found themselves unable to return safely under the dictatorial government.

Adaptation to the International Conjuncture and Diplomatic Evolution

In its early years, the Francoist regime adjusted its international alliances based on the shifting tides of global politics, moving through three distinct stages. At the end of the Civil War, Spain maintained excellent relations with the Axis powers, who had provided essential military and political support to Franco during the conflict. During the Second World War, the Spanish government initially declared a status of neutrality, which it later modified to "non-belligerent."

The second stage was marked by the victory of the Allied forces, which resulted in severe international isolation for Spain. Most countries rejected the Francoist dictatorship because of its origins and ideology. As a result, Spain was not admitted to the United Nations (ONU) and was excluded from the American economic aid provided through the Marshall Plan. In the year $1946$, there was a collective withdrawal of foreign ambassadors from the country.

The third stage arrived in the decade of the $1950$s with the commencement of the Cold War. At this time, Franco was repositioned as a strategically important anti-communist ally for the West. In $1953$, a bilateral agreement was signed with the United States, allowing the American military to establish bases in Spain in exchange for economic assistance. During this decade, Spain was finally admitted as a member of UNESCO in $1953$ and the United Nations in $1955$.

Ideological Foundations and the "Families" of Francoism

The ideology of the regime was constructed by synthesizing contributions from several groups known as the "families of Francoism." These included traditionalists, falangists, monarchists, Catholics, and military figures. These groups had previously united in $1936$ in their opposition to the Republican democracy. The final ideological foundation of the regime was centered on three core concepts: Nationalism (Nacionalismo), National Catholicism (Nacionalcatolicismo), and Anti-communism (Anticomunismo).

Spanish Military Involvement: The Blue Division

Although Spain never reached a formal agreement with Hitler to join the military alliance of the Axis powers and officially declared neutrality, there was a strong identification with their cause. Spain contributed a body of volunteers known as the Blue Division (División Azul), so-called because of the blue falangist shirts the soldiers wore. This unit was officially transformed into the $250^{th}$ Infantry Division of the German Wehrmacht. These soldiers were deployed to the Russian front to fight against the Soviet Union, with their combat activities beginning in middle of the year $1941$.

Questions & Discussion

What do you know about the postwar period? (¿Qué sabes de la posguerra?)

The postwar period in Spain, specifically from $1939$ to $1956$, was characterized by the consolidation of a totalitarian state under Francisco Franco. It involved the total concentration of power, the suppression of democratic rights, and a period of initial international isolation that eventually broke down due to the geopolitical needs of the United States during the Cold War. It was also a time of severe repression, economic hardship, and the ideological dominance of the Catholic Church and the Falange.