THE TRANSITION

 6.- THE END OF FRANCO.

6.1.- ECONOMIC CRISIS IN 70’S.

From 1973 the western world is going to suffer an economic crisis created by the changes in the price of raw materials. Especially oil. This crisis stopped the economic growth that Europe had enjoyed from the 50’s.

In Spain this crisis stroke industry and tourism, a lot of companies went bankrupt and unemployment rose.

Thus from 1975 the Spanish economy stopped, inflation reached 26% and unemployment continued rising.

During this difficult situation Spain faced the changes created by the death of Franco in 1975.

6.2.- The last years of Francoism.

In 1973 Franco, ill, appointed Carrero Blanco as prime minister. However he was assassinated by ETA. The person who had to continue with the regime was death.

Franco’s followers divided into 2 wings:

a.- “ Inmovilistas”: Continue with Francoism even after the death of Franco himself.

b.- “ Aperturistas”: They wanted changes, but these changes had to be limited.

  In 1974 the new prime minister, Arias Navarro, promised political changes, but these were minimal changes and both wings were unsatisfied.

The people who fought against Francoism started demanding democracy, free elections  and an amnesty for all the political prisoners. The demonstrations  occupied the streets.

This was the situation when Franco died 20^th November 1975.

6.3.- The Transition.

Two days after the death of Franco, Juan Carlos I started his government as the king of Spain. The prime minister Arias Navarro, couldn’t make all the changes demanded so the king forced him to resign.

In 1976 Adolfo Suarez was appointed as prime minister, he started the changes to demolish Francoism.

The government tried to make these changes with the agreement of all the political parties.

In 1976 the Political Reform Act was passed, the parliament became democratic and the following year all the political parties were legalized. An amnesty was also passed.

In 1977 Spain celebrated its first democratic election since the Civil War.

3.- CRISIS IN THE GOVERMENT OF UCD.

3.1.- SUAREZ’S SECOND CABINET.

After the elections in 1979 UCD and Adolfo Suarez got the power again. However the Socialists ruled in the biggest cities.

This second cabinet leaded by Suarez faced a lot of problems: Economic problems, unemployment, inflation, terrorism ( ETA and GRAPO)  and even the confrontation between different groups inside UCD.

3.2 Enemies of democracy.

Democracy in Spain was attacked by extremist groups ( Both leftwing and rightwing).

Terrorism became a real problem for Spain: ETA ( whose aim was the independence for the Basque Country), GRAPO and FRAP ( That fought against capitalism and didn’t accept the Constitution) and also the Right, with groups that wanted Franco’s system back.

The terrorist attacks rose and the population couldn’t feel safe. Moreover the idea of a crisis in the ruling party UCD spread.... the possibility of a coup d’état was real. This coup would be boosted by radical right.

3.3.- The coup on 23^rd February 1981.

As Suarez lost support from his own party the Socialists made a vote of no confidence: the new president would be Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo.

But on 23^rd February 1981 Coronel Tejero, commanding a group of men of the Guardia Civil, occupied the parliament, and hijacked the members of parliament and the members of the government.

In Valencia, Milans del Bosch occupied the city with tanks and established the state of war.

The aim of this military men was to control the democracy, stopping the autonomies and  changing the Constitution.

The coup failed due to:

              .- The king Juan Carlos I whose speech moved the army to continue loyal to the Constitution.

              .- All the political parties moved together against the coup.