Francoism in Spain

The Francism or Francist Regime (1939-1975) was a dictatorial political system constituted in Spain between 1939 and 1976, along fascist lines and led by Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde, better known as Francisco Franco (1892-1975).

It is worth mentioning, about this political regime, that it was born from a coup d'état against a legally established democratic and republican government. In 2006, the Spanish Cortes and the European Parliament banned any public manifestation of Francoism.

Learn more about Fascism

Characteristics of Francoism

The main characteristic of Francoism is its inclination to national conservatism based on nationalism of the “Spanish National Unit”. Despite this, this dictatorial regime maintained the division of powers (Legislative, Executive, Judiciary) only as an appearance.

Individual freedoms and civil rights were limited and violated in the face of the great repression of opponents of the system, who were physically eliminated.

This kind of attitude emanated from an authoritarian and corporate state that preached a romantic nationalist, Catholic, anti-communist and traditionalist discourse, which, in turn, was centered on the figure of the Dictator, constantly praised through state propaganda.

Finally, it is worth pointing out some figures from Francoism:300,000 people imprisoned in disciplinary work prisons; tens of thousands sent into exile; 150,000 shot for political causes and more than 30,000 missing.

Historical Context of Francoism

After the Crisis of 1929, Spain installed a republican government with communist orientation that lasted from 1931 until 1936, when the Popular Front returned to power.

However, in July 1936, General Franco, supported by fascism sympathizers such as members of the Spanish army, the conservative bourgeoisie and a large part of the middle class, as well as sectors of the Church, as well as the fascist party called Falange, delivered a coup d'état against the leftist government, supported by the USSR.

However, the coup attempt had to face the workers' militias, starting the so-called Spanish Civil War, which would last until 1939, when the nationalist group (National Movement) of General Francisco Franco won the conflict and established the dictatorial regime. Francoist.

In the meantime, the Second World War begins, in which the Spaniards allied with the fascist regimes, which in turn are defeated in 1945, when fascism becomes a discredited political example. For this reason, in 1947, Franco promulgates the “Law of Succession”, indicating when he died, the Constitutional Monarchy would be re-established in Spain.

In 1953, the United States, in the context of the Cold War, invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Spain to contain the advance of communism and, in return, established military bases in Spanish territory.

In the 1960s, the level (and quality) of life of the Spanish population reached a high level, which led some people to consider that this fact was the result of Francoist management.

The Franco regime came to an end with the death of the dictator in 1975 in Madrid. Franco was replaced by Prince Juan Carlos, who became king of the country with the name of Juan Carlos I, and the process of redemocratization of the country began.

Salazarism and Francoism

While in Spain the regime known as Franquismo was in force, in Portugal there was a similar government, Salazarism, by Antônio de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970). This regime was also inspired by fascism and especially National Catholicism.