The Spanish Civil War began in 1936 when General Francisco Franco led a military coup against the Spanish Republic. Spain was divided between Franco's Nationalists and the Republicans who supported the Republic. The Nationalists were victorious in 1939 and Franco established a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975. Under Franco, Spain experienced repression, lack of freedoms, and economic struggles until the 1960s. In 1969 Franco chose Prince Juan Carlos as his successor. After Franco's death in 1975, Juan Carlos oversaw Spain's transition to democracy, which was solidified with a new constitution approved in 1978.

2. The Spanish Civil War: 1936-1939
General Francisco Franco and his group opposed
the Republic. On 18 July 1936, he led a military
coup against the Republic and the Civil War
began. Spain was divided into two sides: the
Republicans (supporters of Republic) and the
Nationalists (supporters of General Franco). The
war officially ended on 1 April 1939 with a
Nationalist victory.

3. Investigate!
 Look at the map.
 What direction did the
Nationalists follow in
the war. Analyse and
write it in your
notebook . (Main
Republican cities were
Bilbao, Madrid,
Málaga, Barcelona,
Valencia, Alicante,
Murcia, Almería)

4. From dictatorship to democracy
 When the Civil War ended in 1939, General Franco
established a dictatorship which lasted until his death in
1975.
 In the years following the war, Franco embarked on a
policy based on Autarchy (economic self-sufficiency). This
meant Franco cut off almost all international trade. In the
1960s, with the economy on the verge of bankruptcy,
Franco lifted the ban he had imposed and Spain began to
prosper again and tourism became an important part of
the economy.

5. Life during the Francoist regime
 Repression
 Many thousands of people were sent to prison for their political beliefs.
 Lack of freedom
 The press was restricted, trade unions were banned and protest were
repressed.
 Starvation
 People had ration books which specified the quantity of first necessity
goods they could buy.
 Cultural restrictions
 Many regional traditions were repressed. (For example?)

6. Critical Thinking: Criteria D
Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages
of economic self-sufficiency. Which aspects of it
do you agree with? Why or why not?
What do “press restriction” refer to? Do you think
newspapers could remain objective during this
period?

7. The transition to democracy
 As Franco had declared Spain a monarchy, he needed a
successor. In 1969, he chose Prince Juan Carlos.
 Franco thought that the regime would continue under
Juan Carlos. However, as soon as he became king, Juan
Carlos took steps to make Spain a constitutional
monarchy. In 1975, General Franco died and the transition
from a dictatorship to democracy began.

8. Step towards democracy
 King Juan Carlos I appointed Adolfo Suárez as Prime Minister
in 1976. Suárez began the difficult process of a political
reform that would lead to free elections and a democratic
state. Some of the actions Adolfo Suárez took were:
 the release of political prisoners.
 the dissolution of the secret police
 the legalisation of the right to strike and form trade unions.
 the legalisation of all political parties.
 The introduction of a new electoral law (Ley electoral) which
led to free elections in 1977.

9. From 1978 to present day
 In 1978, the Spanish Constitution was approved by
Parliament and then by the Spanish people in a
referendum.
 Since 1978, several Prime Ministers from different
political parties have governed Spain. In 1986 Spain
joined the European Union (EU) and in 2002 Spain
adopted the euro.

10. Critical thinking: Criteria D
Do you think it was hard for people to trust
King Juan Carlos I? Justify your answer
Look at the dates and say what they refer
to.
1939, 1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
What is the difference between a
dictatorship and democracy?