Francisco Franco ruled Spain from 1945 to 1975. During this time: 1. Spain was initially isolated internationally due to Franco's authoritarian regime, but gained acceptance into the UN and received economic aid from the US in the 1950s as the country aligned itself with Western powers during the Cold War. 2. Franco implemented social policies focused on "National Catholicism" and suppressed opposition. The economy struggled until an economic liberalization plan in the late 1950s opened Spain up to foreign trade and investment. 3. From the early 1960s to the mid-1970s, Spain experienced an "economic miracle" with high GDP growth that transformed the country from an agricultural to an industrialized economy and brought increasing prosperity

1. Francisco Franco 1945-75

2. Post WWII Setting… Spain is excluded from UN 1945 International Isolation: -FR, UK, and USA call for substitution of regime -Withdrawal of ambassadors -Exclusion of Marshal Plan -Exclusion from NATO Search for respectability in early Cold-War setting

3. 1950’s Winds of change… ‘ Pact of Madrid’ 1953 10 year military assistance program USA receives space for military bases Economic aid: $625 million 1953-57 Concordat with Vatican 1953 1955: UN allows Spain as member

4. Social policy ‘National Catholicism’ Young Front (FJ) Based on Nazi and Italian models 1943-56: 30% of eligible youths joined Catholic Action (AC) 1951: 500,000 members Real Rivalry: 1956 open clashes between students Education: -Purging of teachers: Ideological contamination -No money spent on education until 1945 -Early 50’s lack of schools -Elementary schooling 76%

5. Economic Policy until 1957 Continuation of autarky Self-sufficiency and Protectionism -Trade neglected and industry uncompetitive -Industrial production rises after 1953 Agriculture: Counter-reform policies Sluggish production

6. Economic Liberalization Luis Carrero Blanco (Minister to Presidency 1951-Prime minister 1967) Reshuffling of ministers: -Falange and Catholic Action replaced by: Opus Dei Ministers - economically liberal -politically authoritarian

7. Stabilization plan-1959 Two main objectives: Restore financial stability by controlling inflation Liberalization of external trade & Encourage foreign investment Other reforms: Reduce public expenditure Rationalization of Govt. Controls Devaluation of peseta (60 pesetas to $) 1958: OECD and IMF

8. Spain’s Economic Miracle GDP growth of 7.5% from 1961-73 From Agriculture to Modern industrialized nation (represented only 15% of GDP in 1973) Growth without debt: Foreign tourism Emigrant remittances Foreign investment 1960: $40 million 1970: $697 million

9. Transformation of Society 1960-75 Growth of Urban classes (1970: 25% of population) 1970: 90% of schooling population Women enter work force (1971: 28% of workforce) Increased standard of living and consumption Catholicisms evolution & working class movement (CCOO) Effects of Tourism and Rapid Economic growth

10. “ University problem” Centers for rejection of Francoist values Violent reaction by government forces Regional nationalism Catalu ña Assembly of Catalu ña 1971 Basque Region ETA (Basque homeland and Freedom) 1959 1973 Death of Carrero Blanco

11. Franco’s dwindling health & divisions Parkinson´s disease @ged 76 he declares successor 1969: Don Juan Carlos “ todo esta atado y bien atado” Tensions in govt: Aperturistas vs immobilistas November 20 th 1975 Franco Dies