GM
Formal Outline
Thesis: Franco was not loved and
respected out of fear, or because he was a compassionate ruler, but because he
provided a very stable life for many in Spain.
I.
Opening Paragraph: Summary of Spanish Civil War,
who is Franco, why he was in charge, how was he received.
a.
Summary of the war and Franco’s pre-regime
life.
1. In the 1930’s, Spain devolved into a civil
war, as the newly-elected Republic government was overthrown by the far-right
leaning Nationalists. The leader that emerged on top was the former
Generalissimo, Francisco Franco y Bahamonde. Franco was born in a military
family, and went into the Naval Academy at age 12. He graduated in the middle
of his class, with some comments from professors about bullying and uncivilized
behavior.
2. Franco became the youngest
Capitan in the Spanish army in 1915, at age 22. He fought in Spanish Morocco,
and served in Oviedo, Spain. Franco rose to the rank of brigadier general at
the age of 33 in 1926.
3. Franco gained control by joining
other right-wing officers in a revolt against the republic when Spanish Civil
War began. In October they made him commander in chief and head of state of
their new Nationalist regime. When the Republic fell to the Nationalists,
Franco became the permanent leader of Spain. He would rule until his death in
1975.
b.
How Franco was received. Franco was received very well by
about half of the country, and poorly by the other half. These halves were
roughly the two halves of Spain, Castile and Aragon, but those were by no means
the definite borders of political views. Franco was a Rightist, what most
Americans would consider a Republican. This was a popular political leaning in
Spain, especially among Monarchists.
II.
Second group of paragraphs: Why shouldn’t the people have
loved and respected him? Who was Franco after he took over?
a.
Atrocities
during and immediately following the war.
1. At least 100,000 people, with
some sources stating numbers up to 500,000, were killed in the Spanish Civil
War, including innocent civilians (Guernica). Both sides, Republicans and
Nationalists alike, suffered massive casualties, and when the Nationalists took
over, many dissenters were executed or exiled.
2. Many Republicans, up to 250,000,
fled the country to escape the oppression and violence of the Franco regime. If
you were a conservative, Catholic, and spoke Castillano, a Castilian dialect of
Spanish, you were fine, but if you derived in any way, you were under close
scrutiny and could be imprisoned.
b.
Catholic Reforms
1. Abortion, Civil marriage, and
divorce are all banned between 1939 and 1943, making the Catholic Church a very
prominent and invasive force in Franco’s Spain. It is recognized as the
official religion of Spain, and the only “true” religion. The National Movement
is named the only legal and real political body.
2. The children (30,000) of many
known Republican, and former Republican leaders are removed from the care of
their parents and put up for adoption. Unions are illegalized, strikes are
banned, and any chance of Basque autonomy is crushed.
III.
Third group of paragraphs: Stability. How was it achieved?
What reforms were instituted? How was a peaceful power transfer facilitated?
a.
Economic stability
1. Times were tough prior to then,
especially in the late 40’s, when France closed their border to Spain, and the
UK embargoed trade with Spain.
2. Franco was very liberal in his
economic policies in the 1960’s. The 60’s were better because tourism restarted
then, and the US opened relations with Spain again, fostering trade and
investments.
3.
Economic aid was not
received through Marshall Plan until Franco allowed Eisenhower to place Naval
bases in Spain.
b. Political
stability
1. Franco managed to rule without a
major incident after the war, the longest a dictator has ever ruled in one go
(36 years, officially). He declared
Spain to be a monarchy, and made himself its regent for the rest of his life,
preventing anyone from making an unsupported claim and taking over in a popular
coup or revolution. This cemented his authority in the eyes of most of the
people.
2. In the late 60’s, Franco
designated Juan Carlos, the grandson of the late Alfonso XIII, as his
successor, and the heir to the throne of Spain. He had to choose between the
Alfonsists and the Carlists to be the heir, and he chose the previous rulers,
he Alfonsists, because they were capable and well established.
3.
Juan Carlos transitioned
into power about two weeks early, and he declared a constitutional monarchy in 1979
IV.
How it fits together
a. Respect:
Franco was
respected and loved by his minority Catholics, and very respected by his
military and his cabinet. Because he was respected by his people, it was easier
for his enemies to respect him. He also was responsible economically and well
trained militarily, so he is hard to hate.
V.
Conclusion: Summary,
a. Franco was a horrible person, and
many people died on his account, but he was well respected by all, and loved by
his supporters. He created an era of stability that was exactly what Spain
needed, and provided a peaceful transfer of power so there was no confusion
when his regime ended.
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