Spain under Franco

Franco's Regime during the Second World War (1939-1945)

Unlike the Second Republic, Franco's rule was centralist, and Autonomous Regions had no privileges except for Navarre because it had provided crucial help for his side during the Civil War. The state administration was filled up by military officers during this period, and 67% of towns had military mayors. The legal bases of the regime were not completely written until 1969, this process took place slowly, consisting of a series of laws which were written during the years, and gave us an insight into the ideology of the regime.

Related Topics:
Second Republic - Navarre - Civil War - 1969

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In 1940, the Vertical Syndicate was created. This syndicate would end corporate struggle, as it grouped together workers and bosses according to corporative principles. It was the only legal syndicate, and was under government control.

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During the Second World War, Spain remained neutral, but was heavily sympathetic to the Axis powers, and even negotiated entry into the war on the Axis side. However, it remained neutral after Hitler did not accept Franco's conditions for entering the war, though Franco did send a special force called the División Azul to fight the USSR during Operation Barbarossa. Franco at first was sure of the success of the xis powers in winning the war, but after the Battle of Stalingrad, he ordered the return of the División Azul, and soon after he started dismissing pro-Nazi falangists from his government, including Ramón Serrano Suñer. He even broke diplomatic relationships with Japan soon before its defeat.

Related Topics:
Second World War - Spain - Axis - Hitler - División Azul - USSR - Operation Barbarossa - Battle of Stalingrad - Ramón Serrano Suñer - Japan

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On the social side, Spain was a divided country after the war. Franco had decided to cleanse all liberals, socialists, anarchists and communists from the map, so all opposition to the regime was dealt with harshly (executions and imprisonments). Catholic propaganda caused Spain to become a deeply conservative country, lacking freedom of religion and rights like divorce.

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