Modern Spain in the 1950s

Timeline of Events in Spain, 1936-1975

– by Jaime Bell (BA/English, ’07)

1936-39	Spanish Civil War: more than 350,000 Spaniards killed. The War was caused by conflict between the Nationalist of the extreme left and Loyalists or Republicans of the extreme right, which escalated after the Loyalists won the election of 1936. Furthermore, Generals Goded, Mola, and Francisco Franco disagreed with the leftist efforts at army reform, and they decided to overthrow the government.
4.1.1939	The Spanish Civil War officially ends. General Francisco Franco leads Nationalists to victory. Republicans are executed, jailed or exiled.
1939-45	Spain stays out of the WWII after Franco has a meeting with Hitler to negotiate possible terms.
1940	The Spanish Trade Union Organization (also known as the Vertical Syndicate) is created. It groups together store workers and storeowners according to corporate principles. It is the only legal trade union organization in Spain and it is completely under government control.
1943	Franco pulls the Spanish Blue Division, fighting with Nazi troops, from the Soviet Union, because he becomes convinced the Axis powers would lose WWII.
1946	Establishment of a trade/economic embargo by the United Nations against the Franco regime- including the closure of the French border.
1946-50	Franco regime is ostracized by UN; many countries cut off diplomatic relations.
1947	Franco announces the monarchy of Spain will be restored to power upon his death or retirement (Law of Succession).
1952	Ration cards are still in use in Spain since the economy continues to suffer from the effects of war.
1953	Spain and the United States sign The Co-operation Agreement, providing for the establishment of military bases in Spain for joint use by both countries after President Eisenhower visits Spain.
1953	The Vatican allows Franco the right to choose a bishop from a list proposed by the Pope.
1955	Spanish wealth approaches the pre-Civil War levels of 1935.
1955	An agreement between the US and the Soviet Union enables Spain to enter the United Nations with other fifteen nations.
1956	Sidi Mohamed ben Yusef, the Moroccan Sultan, reaches an agreement with Franco to end the Spanish protectorate over Morocco.
1958	The Spanish government hands over Tarfaya (an area in the South of Morocco) to Morocco. The Moroccan Government also claims Ifni .
1959	ETA is founded with the aim of creating an independent homeland in Spain's Basque region. The full name of the organization - Euzkadi Ta Askatasuna - means Basque Fatherland and Freedom. The group is dedicated to action through sabotage and violence.
1959-73	The Spanish Miracle (Desarrollo) is the name given to the Spanish economic boom. The boom is bolstered by economic reforms promoted by “technocrats,” appointed by Franco.
1961	ETA's violent campaign begins with an attempt to derail a train transporting politicians.
5.14.1962	Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark married Prince Juan Carlos of Spain, the future king. In doing so, she relinquished her rights to the throne of Greece and converted to Roman Catholicism from Greek Orthodoxy.
1963	The Co-operation Agreement with the United States is extended for five years.
1968	Spain grants Equatorial Guinea its independence (October 12th).
1969	The territory of Ifni is handed over to Morocco. The border with Gibraltar is closed.
1969	Juan Carlos de Borbon y Borbon is formally invested as Crown Prince, one day after Franco names him as successor with the title of King.
12.20.1973	Luis Carrero Blanco, is assassinated in a bombing attack by ETA.
11.20.1975	Franco dies. He is immediately succeeded as head of state by King Juan Carlos. With Juan Carlos on the throne, Spain makes the peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

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Glossary

Francisco Franco

Effective dictator and later formal head of state of parts of Spain from October 1936 and of all of Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. He presided over the government of the Spanish State following victory in the Spanish Civil War. Biography of Franco.

Spanish Civil War

This internal military action lasted from July 17, 1936 to April 1, 1939. The conflict was between the Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, and the Loyalists or Republicans of the Second Spanish Republic, who were led by Manuel Azaña, Francisco Largo Caballero, Juan Negrín. Franco’s forces defeated the Republicans.

Trade Union

A continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment. The immediate objectives and activities of trade unions vary, but may include: provision of benefits to members, Collective bargaining, Industrial action, Political activity.

Vertical Syndicate

Also known as The Spanish Trade Union Organization it was the only legal trade union organization in Franco Spain, previous unions were outlawed and driven underground.

Spanish Blue Division

A unit of Spanish volunteers that served on the German side of the Second World War, mainly on the Eastern Front, until Franco pulled them out in 1943.

The Co-operation Agreement

An agreement between the United States of America and Spain that provided for the establishment of military bases in Spain for joint use by both countries.

Ifni

A Spanish province on the African coast in what is now Morocco. During Franco's dictatorship, the colony was made a province to stop UN criticism on decolonization. Spain returned Ifni to Morocco on January 4, 1969.

ETA

A paramilitary Basque nationalist organization listed as a terrorist organization both by the European Union and the United States in their watchlists on the matter. ETA's goal is to create an independent socialist state for the Basque people in the Basque Country, independent from Spain and France. It has committed approximately 900 killings and dozens of kidnappings since its creation.

Luis Carrero Blanco

A Spanish admiral and statesman. He briefly served as Prime Minister of Spain and was thought to be the likely successor to Francisco Franco. His death may have facilitated Spain's move to democracy since Franco died without an ideologically similar successor.