Summary of the Spanish Transition

What is the Spanish Transition?

The Spanish Transition is the period in the contemporary history of Spain in which the process was carried out by which the country left behind the dictatorial regime of General Francisco Franco and moved towards a democratic and social State of law.

After Franco's death on November 20, 1975, King Juan Carlos I was proclaimed king of Spain. From that moment on, a complex political process began that would culminate with the approval of the Spanish Constitution in 1978.

The Transition involved important political, social and economic changes. A series of legislative reforms were carried out that gradually dismantled the structures of the Franco regime. There was a consensus among the main political forces, both those of the democratic opposition and those of the previous regime, to carry out these changes in a peaceful and consensual manner.

In this period, political parties were legalized, democratic elections were held and the Autonomous Communities were created, which gave a decentralized territorial structure to the Spanish State. The 1978 Constitution established the foundations of parliamentary democracy, parliamentary monarchy and the State of autonomous communities.

The Spanish Transition is seen by many as a model of peaceful change from an authoritarian regime to a democracy. However, it has also been the subject of criticism and controversy, especially in relation to the so-called "Amnesty Law" of 1977 and the implicit or explicit pacts that allowed certain aspects of the Franco regime to remain unjudged or without a deep critical review.

Despite these criticisms, the Spanish Transition allowed the consolidation of a democratic system in Spain, which has lasted until today.

What characteristics does this period have?

The period of the Spanish Transition is marked by several distinctive characteristics:

1. Political Pluralism. The Transition led to the recognition and legalization of different political parties, including those that had been banned during the Franco regime.
2. Pactism and Consensus. One of the most notable features of this period was the effort to reach agreements and consensus between political forces, both those of the previous regime and those of the democratic opposition. This allowed for a peaceful transition to democracy.
3. reformism. The Transition was not a radical break with the past, but a process of gradual and controlled reforms. The structures of the Franco regime were dismantled through a series of legislative and constitutional changes.
4. Role of the King. Juan Carlos I played a crucial role in the process, acting as mediator and facilitator of dialogue between the different political forces.
5. Constituent Process. The approval of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 was a fundamental milestone in the Transition, establishing the bases of the new democratic system and the State of autonomies.
6. Decentralization. The creation of the Autonomous Communities allowed for a decentralization of power and granted a significant degree of self-government to the different regions of Spain.
7. Citizen participation. The Transition was also characterized by growing citizen participation in political life, with the resurgence of unions, social movements and a free press.
8. Legacy of Francoism. Despite democratic advances, some aspects of Franco's rule endured, and certain issues, such as the crimes of the regime, were left unjudged or without deep critical review.
9. Economy in Transformation. The Transition was also a period of important economic changes, with the modernization and opening of the Spanish economy to international markets.
10. National Reconciliation. Although not without criticism and controversy, the Transition sought national reconciliation, avoiding revenge and confrontation between the winners and losers of the Civil War.

Main characters

During the Spanish Transition, several figures played key roles in the process that took Spain from Franco's dictatorship to parliamentary democracy. Some of the most notable ones include:

1. King Juan Carlos I. His role as a mediator and promoter of democratic change was vital in the Transition.
2. Adolfo Suárez. First President of the democratic Government, he led the process of political reforms and the legalization of parties.
3. Felipe González. Leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), he played an important role in the consolidation of democracy.
4. Santiago Carrillo. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE), he contributed to the consensus and moderation of the left.
5. Manuel Fraga. Founder of Alianza Popular (later Partido Popular), he represented the reformist sector of the right.
6. Torcuato Fernández-Miranda. President of the Cortes and key figure in the elaboration of the Law for Political Reform that paved the way for democracy.
7. Antonio Tejero. Lieutenant Colonel of the Civil Guard, known for his role in the attempted coup d'état of 23-F in 1981, a critical event during the Transition.
8. José María de Areilza. Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was an important figure in the negotiations for Spain's entry into the European Community.
9. Gregorio Fish-Beard. One of the fathers of the 1978 Constitution, he played a relevant role in the drafting of the constitutional text.
10. Union leaders like Marcelino Camacho. Representatives of workers and unions who contributed to social and political dialogue.
11. Jordi Pujol. First President of the Generalitat of Catalonia in democracy, he was an important figure in the decentralization process and in the configuration of the State of the autonomies.

These are some of the most relevant characters, but the Spanish Transition was a complex process in which many other political, social and cultural figures participated who contributed to the configuration of today's democratic Spain.

Chronology of the Spanish Transition

The Spanish Transition covers a complex and dynamic period in the history of Spain.

1975

• November 20: Death of Francisco Franco.
• November 22: Proclamation of Juan Carlos I as King of Spain.

1976

• June: Adolfo Suárez is appointed President of the Government by the King.
• November: The Law for Political Reform is approved, opening the way to democracy.

1977

• June: The first democratic elections since the Second Republic are held.
• October: The Amnesty Law is approved.

1978

• December: The Spanish Constitution is approved and ratified in a referendum.

1979

• March: The first general elections are held under the new Constitution.
• April: The Statutes of Autonomy of Catalonia and the Basque Country are approved.

1980

• Approval of the Statutes of Autonomy of Galicia and Andalusia.

1981

• February 23: Failed coup attempt, known as 23-F.
• October: Felipe González becomes leader of the PSOE, consolidating the renewal of the party.

1982

• October: The PSOE wins the general elections and Felipe González becomes President of the Government.

1986

• January 1: Spain joins the European Economic Community (today the European Union).

This chronology offers an overview of the most significant events, but there are many other moments and details that contributed to the rich and complex nature of the Spanish Transition. The Transition does not have a clear and defined end, but Spain's entry into the European Economic Community and the consolidation of the democratic system in the mid-80s are usually considered the closing of this historical period.

Importance of this period

The Spanish Transition is a period of utmost importance in the contemporary history of Spain for several reasons:

1. Establishment of Democracy. The Transition marked the end of almost 40 years of Franco's dictatorship and the establishment of a parliamentary democracy, based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
2. Consensus and Reconciliation. The peaceful and consensual manner in which the process was carried out is remarkable. The main political parties and social actors worked together to reach fundamental agreements, avoiding confrontation and violence.
3. Decentralization of the State. The creation of the Autonomous Communities and the decentralization of power in Spain allowed for recognition of the cultural and regional diversity of the country.
4. Economic and Social Modernization. The Transition was also a period of transformation and modernization of the Spanish economy, with the opening to international markets and integration into the European Economic Community.
5. Strengthening the rule of law. The approval of the 1978 Constitution and the consolidation of a solid and democratic legal framework strengthened the rule of law in Spain.
6. Covenant Culture. The Transition left a legacy of dialogue and negotiation that has influenced subsequent Spanish politics.
7. Controversies and Challenges. Despite its success in many aspects, the Transition also left unresolved issues, such as the relationship with Franco's past and certain territorial challenges, which continue to be relevant in current Spanish politics.

If you want to see more notes for Baccalaureate and Selectivity, Visit our free resources page.