Economy: 1956-59 price of goods rose 20% in a year, faster than wages
and production. Loans came in from the US but could only be spent in
Spain, which led to inflation. Economic troubles led to student and worker
protests.
ECONOMIC CHANGE- Falange- Leading Fascist, Jose Arrese, proposed to solve the crisis by
returning to autarky. 1957- Cabinet reshuffle. Used this to turn against
Falangists. They had low support so Franco could sideline them. Franco
promoted "technocrats" linked to Opus Dei (catholic organisation). They
introduced a free market, and the 1959 "Stabilisation Plan". Measures
included control of money supply, wage controls and promotion of foreign
investment. Free market and technocrats role was one of four reasons for
the economic boom between 1960-75.
Foreign investment- 1960-74 the Spanish
economy attracted $7.6 billion dollars of
foreign investment. This encouraged the
production of high tech goods. By 1970, 50%
of investment in the Spanish car industry.
Emigration: In 1959 500,000 Spaniards emigrated,
sending around $126 billion back to spain. Next decade a
further 1 million spaniards went to work abroad. Improved
social situation by reducing unemployment.
Four million tourists in 1959, with 14 million tourists; by
1975 30 million tourists spending $3.5 billion
dollars.Impacts of tourism: Influenced by western values;
e.g. bikini. Spain forced to change, catholic conservative
image cast of. Increase of women in the work force;
16-30% from 1950-74.
SOCIAL CHANGE INFLUENCED HEAVILY BY ECONOMY- Education:
During 1960s gov spent more on education than on military. Illiteracy
rates declined from 11% in 1960 to 6% in 1970. By 1970- one third of
university students were women.
Social welfare improved- By 1974- 79% of
people covered by social welfare schemes. Life
expectancy increased to 73 in 1975.
Consumer economy- New advertising
promoted dating, smoking, cinema attendance,
long hair for men.
LIMITS OF SOCIAL CHANGE: Moral teachings of
church continued to have influence over social policy,
particularly over sexual morality. Contraception banned
and pornography prohibited; black market continued to
produce contraception and pornography.
OPPOSITION AND REPRESSION- Student protests-
1964/5; marched and went on strike. Authorities
responded by banning the official Student Union (SEU).
Granada 1971- Martial law was imposed. Repression
failed to stop protests. Workers unrest took the form of
strikes.
Franco continued to personally sign all
death warrants until just months before his
death.
POLITICAL CHANGE- 1964- Law of Associations (legalised formation of
non political small groups). Increased activity among community. 1966
Press Act- Newspapers could appoint their own editors as long as
publications respected principles of the Nationalist movement. (Fines,
suspensions as punishment- much less severe) July 1967- Religious
freedom act; threatened the clergy's position in society.
Journalistic freedom gradually undermined
the authority of Franco's government and
subsequently led to social unrest.
By 1970s upper clergy and pope in
particular stood against Franco in defence of
Human rights.