Franco consolidation of power 1939-45

Franco consolidation of power 1939-45

1. CONCILIATION: Unofficial alliance between the Catholic church and the Franco government. 1938 Clerical Laws gave church control over education and outlawed religions other than christianity.Falange were won over by Franco's economic policies of corporatism(middle way between capitalism and communism) and autarky.

   • Church supported Franco's crusade against atheists and marxists, therefore they remained silent about atrocities. Church's support persuaded Catholics that the New State was God's gift to Spain.
     • In accordance with the Church, the state actively persecution of homosexuals was encouraged.
   • Carlists were now merged with the Falange and no threat.

2. REPRESSION: Immediately after civil war, repression intensified and became institutionalised. Feb 1939- Law of Political Responsibilities criminalised anyone who had belonged to Republican movements, supported the war effort, or actively aided the Nationalists. By 1945- 500,000 convicted of breaking the law and 200,000 were executed. Punishments ranged from hard labour, fines, external exile or loss of citizenship. Accused couldn't even appear in court. Large scale persecutions of separatists in Catalonia and Basque, who campaigned for regional rights.

   • March 1940- Law for the Suppression of Freemasonry and Communism. (Liberals and all left wing members). Death penalty was often given by military tribunals.
   • Arrests and executions led to a climate of fear, in which people were unwilling to speak out or go against the regime.
   • The Press Law of April 1938- government authorisation was required for publications of any kind. Also could shut down any publication. Also, allowed them to appoint the editors of Spain's 45 daily newspapers.
   • WOMEN- Reintroduced the 1889 Civil Code, which made women legally dependent on their fathers/husbands. They could also be punished in criminal courts for extra-marital affairs.

3. POLITICAL MANIPULATION- Promised Don Juan that military leader was needed to tackle problems after the civil war and that he would be king at the right time. 1947- Law of Leadership of Succession; formally declared Spain as a monarchy but left choice and timing of king to be up to Franco. Allowed Franco to deal with the genuine threat of the monarchists.

   • Franco also gave the Falange important positions in the economy and media. This ensured loyalty of Falange and denied the Monarchists access to the media.

4. PROPAGANDA- Censorship of words and pictures were enforced. Films were edited to stress the importance of family life. Pictures and portraits of Franco was widely distributed. He embodied the different faces of the regime, appearing in the uniforms of the party and army, posing as a Catholic and family man.