#20473 - L3 The 1940s Under Franco - Literature and Film under Franco - Lecture Notes

Spain in the 1940s under Franco

Spain in the 1940s

• Aftermath of the Civil War (1936 – 1939)

• Nationalist victory in April 1939 consolidated power under Franco

• Spain left economically ruined: infrastructure destroyed, agriculture collapsed, widespread poverty

• “Los años del hambre” (1939 – 1945)

• Period of intense scarcity, malnutrition, and rationing

• Autarkic economic policies (self-sufficiency) deepened shortages and inefficiencies

• Black markets thrived; the regime failed to provide for basic needs

• Ideological reconstruction

• Regime emphasised Nationalism, Catholicism and authoritarianism

• Framed the Civil War as a “Crusade” against communism and liberalism

• Sought to rebuild Spain as a morally and spiritually unified nation

Political consolidation under Franco

• Fragmented nationalist coalition

• Falangists: fascist-inspired, revolutionary nationalist, lower middle class bases

• Carlists: traditionalist monarchists, especially from Navarre, emphasised Catholic tradition and regional rights, opposed radical fascism

• Unification decree (April 1937)

• Merged Falange Española and Carlist Traditionalist Communion

• Created Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS

• Aimed to neutralise radical fascist elements (purged or executed), emphasise shared goals, nationalism, anti-communism and Catholicism, and establish a single, regime-controlled political party (Movimiento Nacional)

• Franco’s Role

• Positioned as a supreme leader and symbol of the “New Spain”

• Cult of personality cultivated through portraits, parades, and propaganda

Nationalism, religion and symbolism

• Ideological fusion

• Catholicism and Spanish nationalism intertwined

• Regime portrayed Spain as defender of Christian civilisation

• Anti-communism and traditionalism central to state identity

• Memorialisation and symbols

• José Antonio Primo de Rivera: Founder of Falange, executed in 1936, elevated as a martyr, memorials like Granada Cathedral honoured his sacrifice

• Navarre’s laurels of victory: Carlist heartland recognised for loyalty, awarded laureate, retained some regional rights

• Valley of the Fallen: construction began 1940, completed 1959, officially commemorated Civil War dead, but focused on Nationalist victory, built with forced Republican labour, symbol of both triumph and repression

• Propaganda and imagery

• Nationalist posters and flags combined religious and imperial motifs

• Victory parades (e.g. May 1939) reinforced the regime’s power

• Church played a dominant role in education, marriage, and censorship

Social and economic policies

• Labour control

• Independent unions banned

• Vertical Trade Unions created: workers and employers in the same corporatist structure, illusion of representation; real control remained with the state, but it prevented class conflict and strikes

• Social policy

• Focus on cheap housing projects for workers

• Paternalistic approach to welfare; aimed at social control rather than reform

• Economic context

• Autarky led to inefficiency, corruption, and scarcity

• Black markets became essential for survival

• Economic modernisation delayed until the 1950s

International context

• World War II

• Spain remained officially neutral, despite Franco’s Axis sympathies

• Germany and Italy had supported Franco during the Civil War

• Spain cooperated with Axis; sent Blue Division to fight the USSE (1941) and provided intelligence and resources

• Maintained diplomatic links with Britain: Churchill allegedly offered to return Gibraltar if Spain stayed neutral (not actually feasible)

• Postwar isolation

• Franco’s fascist...