Spanish State

This article is about the specific polity Spanish State and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Was the period of Spanish history between 1939 and 1975, when Spain was subject to an authoritarian regime ruled by Francisco Franco after the conservatives won the Spanish Civil War. Franco died in 1975. He restored the monarchy before his death proclaming King Juan Carlos I, who would lead the Spanish transition to democracy.

Summary

The Spanish State was the authoritarian regime that governed Spain from the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 until the death of Francisco Franco in 1975. It was established by the Nationalist forces who had emerged victorious from the civil war, led by General Franco.

Franco's regime portrayed itself as the antithesis of the short-lived Second Spanish Republic, which it had overthrown. It sought to suppress the left-wing, regionalist, and democratic forces that had dominated the republic, establishing a highly centralized, Catholic, and nationalist state.

In the immediate aftermath of the civil war, Franco's regime carried out a harsh campaign of repression against its political opponents, with hundreds of thousands imprisoned or executed. It also sought to dismantle the autonomy and regional identities that had flourished under the republic, imposing a unitary Spanish nationalism.

Economically, the Spanish State pursued a policy of autarky, closing off the country from international trade and investment. This led to decades of stagnation and hardship for the Spanish people. The regime also maintained tight control over the economy, favoring large corporations and landowners over workers and small businesses.

In foreign policy, the Spanish State was initially aligned with the Axis powers, but it eventually adopted a position of neutrality during World War II. After the war, Spain was isolated diplomatically due to its Fascist origins, only gradually being reintegrated into the international community in the 1950s.

Despite this isolation, Franco's regime managed to maintain power through a combination of repression, co-option of elites, and the provision of limited social welfare programs. Over time, it also sought to project an image of stability and prosperity, particularly as Spain's economy began to grow in the 1960s.

However, the Spanish State remained highly authoritarian, with no genuine political opposition allowed. Dissent was brutally suppressed, particularly in regions like the Basque Country that sought independence. The death of Franco in 1975 finally paved the way for a transition to democracy, with the restoration of the monarchy under King Juan Carlos I.

The legacy of the Spanish State remains a highly contentious and divisive issue in Spain today. While it provided a period of relative stability, its authoritarian nature and human rights abuses continue to haunt the country's political landscape.

Establishment

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Spanish Civil War

Was a civil war in Spain fought between the Republicans (that wanted to keep the current Republican system) and the Nationalists (that wanted to end the Republican system and replace it with a Monarchy or a Fascist regime). The war resulted in the victory of the Conservatives led by General Francisco Franco, who established a totalitarian regime in Spain.

1.1.Final offensive of the Spanish Civil War

Was the final Nationalist offensive of the Spanish Civil War which resulted in the occupation of Madrid and the surrender of the Republicans.

2. Further events (Unrelated to Any War)

Disestablishment