top of page

Francisco Franco in Spain for AP World History

Feb 14, 2024

2 min read

0

3

0

Francisco Franco in Spain is an illustrative example of the Global Resistance to Existing Power Structures topic in Unit 8 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.


Francisco Franco and his Brother
Francisco Franco and his Brother/public domain


Francisco Franco rose to power following the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from 1936 to 1939. As a general in the Spanish army, Franco led the Nationalist faction against the Republican government, ultimately emerging victorious with the support of fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. In 1939, he established himself as the head of state and government, consolidating power through a repressive regime characterized by authoritarianism and suppression of dissent.


Authoritarian Rule

Franco’s rule was marked by totalitarian control, with the suppression of political opposition, censorship of the media, and harsh repression of regional identities, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. His regime promoted a nationalist and conservative ideology rooted in Catholicism and traditional values while persecuting leftist and republican ideologies. Franco’s policies also led to economic isolation and stagnation, as Spain remained largely closed off from the rest of Europe and the world.


Transition to Democracy

Franco’s death in 1975 marked the end of his nearly four-decade-long dictatorship, but it also sparked a period of uncertainty and transition for Spain. In the years before his death, Franco had groomed Prince Juan Carlos as his successor, hoping to preserve the monarchy and maintain conservative control. However, Juan Carlos surprised many by steering Spain toward democracy and overseeing the country’s transition to a constitutional monarchy. The Spanish Parliament approved a new democratic constitution in 1978, paving the way for free elections and the establishment of a parliamentary democracy. Franco’s legacy looms large in Spain’s history, with ongoing debates about his regime’s impact on the country’s political and social fabric.


Free Printable Reading Passage on Francisco Franco in Spain

Free Reading Passage on Francisco Franco in Spain for AP World History


Do you want to watch a video about Francisco Franco?




Global Resistance to Established Power Structures after 1900

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization

AP World History


Francisco Franco in Spain for AP World History

#APWorldHistory

Feb 14, 2024

2 min read

0

3

0

Comments

Share Your ThoughtsBe the first to write a comment.
bottom of page