Francoism in Spain (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
Francoism in Spain
What was Francoism?
Francoism (el franquismo) was a lengthy period of authoritarian dictatorship in Spain centered around General Francisco Franco. The regime held complete power from 1939 until Franco's death in 1975. This era began when a military uprising overthrew the democratically elected government of the Second Republic, leading to the devastating Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939. After winning the war, the Francoist forces established a dictatorship that was imposed through military might.
The consequences of this regime were catastrophic. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people lost their lives, whilst Franco remained satisfied with incorporating Spain into a fascist ideology similar to that of Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy.
Understanding dictatorships
A dictatorship is a form of government with several defining characteristics. Typically, a leader comes to power following a coup d'état (golpe de estado) rather than through democratic elections. Decisions are made without seeking public support or approval, either through direct or indirect participation. Power often concentrates in one individual, and there is frequently a cult of personality around the leader, demonstrated through monuments, paintings, or public displays glorifying their superiority. The regime systematically uses terror, sometimes through secret police forces, and suppresses individual freedoms. Citizens are not considered free and equal before the law.
Key vocabulary: Political terms
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la dictadura | the dictatorship |
| el golpe de estado | the coup d'état |
| el líder | the leader |
| las masas | the masses |
| el poder | the power |
| la represión | the repression |
| el culto a la personalidad | the cult of personality |
| la policía secreta | the secret police |
| las libertades individuales | individual freedoms |
| el terror | the terror |
| el régimen | the regime |
| el ciudadano/la ciudadana | the citizen |
Example sentences:
- Frecuentemente, el líder llega al poder tras un golpe de estado. (Frequently, the leader comes to power following a coup d'état.)
- Las decisiones no tienen que buscar el apoyo de las masas. (Decisions do not need to seek the support of the masses.)
- Hay culto a la personalidad del líder. (There is a cult of personality around the leader.)
- Hay empleo sistemático del terror, a veces por medio de una policía secreta. (There is systematic use of terror, sometimes by means of a secret police.)
The Spanish Civil War and its aftermath
The dictatorship of Franco came about after he overthrew the government of the Second Republic, triggering a tragic civil war from 1936 to 1939. The Francoist army emerged victorious, and the dictatorship was imposed by force. One of the most devastating aspects of nearly four decades of dictatorship was the systematic repression that Francoist authorities exercised from the very beginning, which continued even after the war ended.
This repression explains why hundreds of thousands of people fled into exile at the end of the war as troops advanced, particularly to France and other Latin American countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela.
For instance, many residents of small villages who had little political involvement were shot (fusilados) in the middle of the countryside simply for showing minimal affiliation with the regime. Many others were imprisoned or forced to perform unpaid labor during the immediate post-war period, which was also characterized by the poverty that affected the civilian population due to shortages of essential supplies, including basic items such as bread, rice, and milk.
Vocabulary: The Civil War and dictatorship
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la guerra civil | the civil war |
| derrocar | to overthrow |
| el gobierno | the government |
| establecer | to establish |
| la posguerra | the post-war period |
| el Ejército Franquista | the Francoist Army |
| las autoridades | the authorities |
| el destino | the fate/destiny |
| desplazar | to displace |
| fusilar | to execute by firing squad |
| encarcelar | to imprison |
| los pueblos pequeños | the small villages |
| la afiliación | the affiliation |
Example sentences:
- La dictadura de Franco se estableció al derrocar al gobierno de la II República. (Franco's dictatorship was established when it overthrew the government of the Second Republic.)
- El Ejército Franquista ganó y la dictadura fue impuesta por la fuerza. (The Francoist Army won and the dictatorship was imposed by force.)
- Muchos habitantes de pueblos pequeños fueron fusilados brutalmente por el régimen. (Many residents of small villages were brutally shot by the regime.)
Life under Franco: repression and fear
Francoism, particularly throughout the period from 1939 to 1959, was characterized by fear, political and social repression, widespread poverty, and a complete absence of the most basic freedoms and rights. This allowed the government to, among other things, pursue regional languages and cultures (Catalan, Basque, and Galician) and eliminate trade union and labour rights for the working class.
Therefore, this was a dark period for the majority of Spanish citizens who could not express themselves freely. At the same time, it enabled the enrichment of those who were actively collaborating with the regime.
The regime controlled culture through official censorship to ensure it aligned with the ideological principles of the regime. Whilst Franco called his regime an "organic democracy," in reality, it was far from democratic. Before any publicity or media could be released in the country, it had to pass controls that would reduce potential harm to the army or Franco himself.
Vocabulary: Repression and control
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el miedo | the fear |
| la pobreza | the poverty |
| la carencia | the shortage/lack |
| las libertades | the freedoms |
| los derechos | the rights |
| perseguir | to persecute |
| las lenguas | the languages |
| la censura | the censorship |
| controlar | to control |
| la publicidad | the publicity/advertising |
| los medios de comunicación | the media |
| los posibles daños | the potential harm |
Example sentences:
- El franquismo se caracterizó por el miedo, la represión política y social. (Francoism was characterized by fear, political and social repression.)
- Había carencia de las libertades y derechos más elementales. (There was a lack of the most basic freedoms and rights.)
- El gobierno persiguió las lenguas y culturas catalana, vasca y gallega. (The government persecuted Catalan, Basque, and Galician languages and cultures.)
- La cultura fue controlada por la censura oficial. (Culture was controlled by official censorship.)
Concentration camps under Franco
One particularly harrowing aspect of Francoism was the existence of concentration camps (campos de concentración). Many small-town residents were shot in remote countryside locations to demonstrate little sympathy with the regime, whilst others were imprisoned or forced into unpaid work during the immediate post-war period. The camps were characterized by extreme poverty that affected the civilian population due to shortages of essential goods such as bread, rice, and milk.
According to experts, it remains important not to suppress memories of life under Franco. These memories serve as a reminder of the abuses committed and the need to ensure such atrocities are not repeated.
Prisoners in these camps earned very low wages, and upon arrival, they received a medical examination. Prisoners dressed very casually, and for the most part, work consisted of excavation. They worked with very basic tools, and there is hope that it will be possible to rectify the abuses of that era.
Vocabulary: Concentration camps
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el campo de concentración | the concentration camp |
| el preso/la presa | the prisoner |
| el sueldo | the wage/salary |
| el examen médico | the medical examination |
| excavación | the excavation |
| las herramientas | the tools |
| vestirse | to dress |
| el recuerdo | the memory |
| suprimir | to suppress |
| los abusos | the abuses |
| rectificar | to rectify |
Example sentences:
- Los presos ganaron un sueldo muy bajo. (The prisoners earned a very low wage.)
- Al llegar al campo de concentración, los presos recibían un examen médico. (Upon arriving at the concentration camp, prisoners received a medical examination.)
- Los presos se vestían de manera muy casual. (Prisoners dressed very casually.)
- El trabajo consistía en excavación. (The work consisted of excavation.)
Economic conditions and social life
The economic situation under Franco's dictatorship was extremely difficult. Under the dictatorship, the Spanish economy sometimes flourished continuously, but at other times it was characterized by a lack of basic commodities. The regime maintained many trade agreements with Latin America. During the 1960s, the country shifted from being predominantly rural to becoming urban, a transformation that was a consequence of profound economic changes.
The post-war period brought extreme hardship, with many families affected by poverty in rural areas. The regime's policies created significant disparities in living conditions across different regions of Spain.
Vocabulary: Economy and society
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la economía | the economy |
| florecer | to flourish |
| las comodidades básicas | the basic commodities |
| los acuerdos comerciales | the trade agreements |
| rural | rural |
| urbano | urban |
| la urbanización | the urbanization |
| los cambios económicos | the economic changes |
| la falta | the lack |
| las zonas rurales | the rural areas |
| las condiciones de vida | the living conditions |
Example sentences:
- Bajo la dictadura, la economía española floreció continuamente. (Under the dictatorship, the Spanish economy flourished continuously.)
- A veces se caracterizó por una falta de comodidades básicas. (At times it was characterized by a lack of basic commodities.)
- El país pasó de ser predominantemente rural a convertirse en urbano. (The country shifted from being predominantly rural to becoming urban.)
Exile and displacement
The fate of many Spaniards was to be displaced as a result of the dictatorship. Francoist authorities exercised considerable influence in Latin America, which diminished the power of Francoist troops. Many Spanish citizens had to flee the country. Those who aligned themselves with the Francoist government were very concerned about freedom of expression, whilst others were imprisoned or prospered economically.
The exile of hundreds of thousands of people to France and Latin American countries represented one of the great tragedies of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent dictatorship.
Vocabulary: Exile and migration
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el exilio | the exile |
| desplazar | to displace |
| huir | to flee |
| aliarse | to align oneself |
| preocuparse por | to worry about |
| la libertad de expresión | the freedom of expression |
| prosperar | to prosper |
| económicamente | economically |
| las tropas | the troops |
| la influencia | the influence |
Example sentences:
- Muchos ciudadanos españoles tuvieron que huir del país. (Many Spanish citizens had to flee the country.)
- Los que se aliaron con el gobierno franquista se preocuparon mucho por la libertad de expresión. (Those who aligned themselves with the Francoist government were very concerned about freedom of expression.)
- El destino de muchos españoles fue ser desplazados a causa de la dictadura. (The fate of many Spaniards was to be displaced because of the dictatorship.)
The duration and end of Francoism
Francoism lasted more than thirty years in total, specifically from 1939 until Franco's death in 1975. The regime ended in 1959 according to some perspectives, though it truly disappeared after more than two decades of authoritarian rule. Franco's death marked the beginning of Spain's transition to democracy.
The Historical Memory Law (2007)
Since 27 December 2007, the Historical Memory Law (Ley de Memoria Histórica) has been in force. This initiative broadened the rights of those who suffered persecution or violence during the Civil War and the subsequent dictatorship.
The law includes improvements to economic compensation and pensions for victims of the Civil War and Francoism. Until 2007, various compensations existed that have now been extended to families of those killed in the Civil War, as well as to those who were executed for their actions, political opinions, or trade union affiliations.
This law represents an important step in acknowledging and addressing the injustices of the Franco era, allowing Spain to confront its difficult past.
Vocabulary: Historical Memory Law
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la Ley de Memoria Histórica | the Historical Memory Law |
| estar en vigor | to be in force |
| la iniciativa | the initiative |
| ampliar | to broaden/extend |
| la persecución | the persecution |
| la violencia | the violence |
| las indemnizaciones económicas | the economic compensations |
| las pensiones | the pensions |
| la víctima | the victim |
| los fallecidos | the deceased |
| ejecutar | to execute |
| las actuaciones | the actions |
| las opiniones políticas | the political opinions |
| las afiliaciones sindicales | the trade union affiliations |
Example sentences:
- Desde el 27 de diciembre de 2007 está en vigor la Ley de Memoria Histórica. (Since 27 December 2007, the Historical Memory Law has been in force.)
- La ley amplía los derechos de quienes padecieron persecución o violencia. (The law broadens the rights of those who suffered persecution or violence.)
- Se han ampliado las indemnizaciones económicas a las víctimas. (Economic compensations for victims have been extended.)
Grammar focus: Uses of ser and estar
When discussing historical events and conditions in Spanish, it's essential to understand when to use ser versus estar. Here's a guide specifically relevant to discussing Francoism:
Ser is used for:
- Essential characteristics (passive voice): La dictadura fue impuesta por la fuerza. (The dictatorship was imposed by force.)
- Defining what something is: El franquismo fue una larga dictadura. (Francoism was a long dictatorship.)
Estar is used for:
- States resulting from actions: Franco estaba satisfecho con la incorporación de España. (Franco was satisfied with Spain's incorporation.)
- Temporary characteristics: Los presos estaban vestidos de manera casual. (The prisoners were dressed casually.)
Examples distinguishing ser and estar:
Using ser in passive voice:
- La cultura era controlada por la censura oficial. (Culture was controlled by official censorship.)
- El Caudillo nombró al almirante Carrero Blanco como presidente, pero este fue asesinado. (The Caudillo appointed Admiral Carrero Blanco as president, but he was assassinated.)
Using ser for definitions and essential characteristics:
- Esta urbanización era una consecuencia de unos profundos cambios económicos. (This urbanization was a consequence of profound economic changes.)
- Aunque Franco llamó a su régimen 'democracia orgánica', en realidad, no era una democracia. (Although Franco called his regime an 'organic democracy,' in reality, it was not a democracy.)
Common mistakes and tips
Common mistake 1: Confusing ser and estar in passive constructions
- ❌ La dictadura estuvo impuesta por la fuerza.
- ✓ La dictadura fue impuesta por la fuerza.
- Tip: Passive voice always uses ser, not estar.
Common mistake 2: Mixing up similar terms
- ❌ el campo de concentración vs el campo (countryside)
- Tip: Context is key. Campo alone usually means countryside or field, whilst campo de concentración is a concentration camp.
Common mistake 3: Incorrect gender agreement
- ❌ el víctima
- ✓ la víctima
- Tip: Some nouns ending in -a can be masculine, but víctima is always feminine, even when referring to male victims.
Common mistake 4: Confusing fusilar (to execute by firing squad) and encarcelar (to imprison)
- These are two different fates under the regime — ensure you use the correct term for the context.
Pronunciation tip:
- Franquismo is pronounced "fran-KEES-moh" with stress on the second syllable
- Censura is pronounced "then-SOO-rah" (in Castilian Spanish) or "sen-SOO-rah" (in Latin American Spanish)
Study tip:
- When learning about historical periods, create a timeline with key dates (1936-1939: Civil War, 1939-1975: Dictatorship, 2007: Historical Memory Law) to help contextualize events and their consequences.
Key Points to Remember:
- Francoism lasted from 1939 to 1975, beginning after a military coup and the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) that overthrew the Second Republic.
- The regime was characterized by systematic repression, including executions, imprisonment, censorship, and the persecution of regional languages and cultures.
- Hundreds of thousands of people suffered — many died, were imprisoned in concentration camps, or fled into exile to France and Latin America.
- Economic and social conditions were harsh, with widespread poverty, lack of basic freedoms, and shortages of essential goods, particularly in the post-war period.
- The Historical Memory Law (2007) seeks to address past injustices by extending rights and compensation to victims of the Civil War and dictatorship.