FRANCO ’ S DICTATORSHIP

FRANCO’S DICTATORSHIP

Francisco Franco Military man born in El Ferrol (Galicia) Fascist dictator:

Head of State Head of Government Supreme General of the Armed Forces

Entitled as “Caudillo de España por la Gracia de Dios” 1947. Law of Succession: Spain became a monarchy: he

would be regent. So...

1939-1947: Spanish State (Estado Español) 1947-...: Spanish Kingdom (Reino de España)

In 1969 Franco decided Juan Carlos I would be his successor after his death.

He controlled everything: army + high bourgeoisie + Catholic Church

He had the support of:

Falange (FET y de las JONS) Carlists Roman Catholic Church other Conservative elements:

(monarchists, nobility...)

Falange's flag

Carlist flag

Isolation years (1945-1953) Franco and Hitler met in Hendaye to join

the Axis power in the Second World War: no agreement was reached, but...

Franco sent military aid to Russia: Division Azul

Isolation years: 1945-1953 UN resolution: condemn Franco's regime Embargo and borders closed Rationing cards Autarky/Self-sufficient economic system

Economic autarky Subsistence: hunger + ration books + high

inflation Reduction of imports Self-sufficiency State-controlled production State-funded industry Construction of infrastructure (heavily damaged

by Civil War)

End of Isolation 1953-1959 and economic development: 1959-1970

USA needed allies in Europe against Soviet Union (Cold War)

US president and Franco met in 1953 Spain received financial benefits and food from US US received military bases (strategic location) Spanish government signed a concordat with the Vatican Accept foreign investment promote industrialisation Rural exoduscities looking for a job 1970: tourism and industry increased Better economic situation but still emigration

To France, Germany, Switzerland...

Franco's last years 1973-1975

His health was declining, so Carrero Blanco was named Prime Minister

Operación Ogro: Carrero Blanco killed by ETA A commando led by Argala put a bomb under

the road Highly celebrated in the Basque Country Taking revenge, Franco executed 2 members

of ETA and 3 members of FRAP

opposition Sixties: General strikes and demonstrations in the

streets cruel repressive policy Creation of ETA (1959)

Euskadi Ta Askatasuna: a Basque armed groupcreated by university students: low-intensity war With the purpose of fighting Franco´s

dictatorship To get the independence of the Basque Country

Other armed groups: Grapo, FRAP, DRIL PCE fought from underground

The hole left by the bomb

Luis Carrero Blanco

ArgalaCarrero's car after the attempt

Francoism: characteristics

No political ideology Military dictatorship Strong authoritarianism, nationalism, militarism No aims to transform society: conservative and

traditional Roman Catholic Church: nacionalcatolicismo Rejection of Communism, Socialism, Anarchism Rejection of peripheral nationalism: Basque,

Catalan No room for political opposition

All opponents were banned and persecuted Violent political repression Towns and rural areas patrolled by Guardia Civil Large cities and capitals by Policia Armada Basque and Catalan nationalism oppressed Their language forbidden Left-wing parties forbidden (PSOE, PCE, UGT...) PNV went into exile Brutal repression: by 1940 300,000 prisoners and

30,000 had been killed Until 60's no real opposition apart from some

isolated “maquis”

Flamenco and bullfighting promoted as Spanish traditions

Football was also promoted to keep people happy

CATHOLICISM: the only official religion Civil marriages were declared non-valid Homosexuality: criminal offense Divorce, contraceptives and abortion were

forbidden Traditional vision of women: (sección

femenina)

Franco died in 1975

- As he ordered, Juan Carlos de Borbon became the Head of State in 1975, as “King of Spain” - In 1978 Spain was proclaimed a Constitutional Monarchy

Valle de los Caidos

Let's see some pictures...

Franco designed Juan Carlos his successor

Francoist flag

FRAP members:

-Jose Humberto Baena-Jose Luis Sanchez Bravo-Ramon Garcia Sanz

The last militants executed by Franco: 27-9-1975

ETA members:

-Juan Paredes Manot “Txiki”-Angel Otaegi

Franco's corpse

A current picture: volunteers looking for victims of Franco

Salvador Puig Antich: an anarchist militant killed by Garrote Vil

Garrote Vil

THE END