Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Totalitarian regimes are indelible marks in the history of the 20th century, presenting a form of government characterized by authoritarianism, suppression of civil rights, and absence of political pluralism. The study of these regimes is essential to understand the complexities and dangers of unchecked power, as well as how easily it can be acquired. Francoism and Salazarism are two significant variants of this ideology that dominated the Iberian Peninsula for decades, drawing interesting parallels and contrasts with other totalitarian regimes, such as Nazism and Fascism.

Contextualization

Located in the module 'Components of the 20th Century' of the curriculum, the topic 'Totalitarian Regimes in Europe: Francoism and Salazarism' is a bridge to the study of other important themes, including World War II, the Cold War, and decolonization. Francoism and Salazarism, although less discussed than their German and Italian counterparts, are vital for a complete understanding of this period, as they played a significant role in the geopolitics and structuring of the power balance of the time. Furthermore, their analysis offers a richer and more varied view of totalitarian regimes, diversifying the historical narrative and avoiding simplistic generalizations.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Francoism: Francoism was the totalitarian regime that ruled Spain from 1939 until the death of Francisco Franco in 1975. Franco, a general, led a military insurrection against the democratically elected republican government, marking the beginning of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). It was characterized by its military strength, repressive system, corporatist economy, and strong influence of the Catholic Church. On the international stage, Franco adopted a policy of neutrality during World War II, despite his sympathies for the Axis.

• Salazarism: Salazarism, or Estado Novo, was the authoritarian regime that ruled Portugal from 1933 to 1974. Named after its creator, António de Oliveira Salazar, this regime combined fascist and conservative elements. It focused on preserving Portugal's territorial integrity and restoring the economy, adopting an autarkic and paternalistic policy. Unlike Francoism, Salazarism maintained a foreign policy aligned with Western democracies during World War II.

Key Terms

• Totalitarian Regime: A system of government in which the State seeks to control all aspects of citizens' public and private life, using propaganda, censorship, secret police, among others. It is characterized by the absence of individual freedoms and political opposition.

• Spanish Civil War: Conflict that occurred in Spain between 1936 and 1939, commonly considered as a 'dress rehearsal' for World War II. The conflict pitted the republican forces, supported by international brigades and allied with the Soviet Union, against the nationalist forces, led by Franco and militarily supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

• Estado Novo: Name given to the authoritarian regime that ruled Portugal from 1933 to 1974. Its political philosophy was characterized by nationalism, colonialism, corporatism, and anti-communism.

Examples and Cases

• Neutrality in World War II: Both regimes, Francoism and Salazarism, adopted different positions during World War II. While Franco maintained a policy of neutrality, Salazar allied with Western democracies. This contrast highlights the diplomatic complexities and survival strategies of these regimes in a global conflict scenario.

• Controlled Economy: Both Francoism and Salazarism implemented state control policies of the economy. However, these policies had different degrees of success and consequences in each country, a crucial aspect to understand the different historical outcomes in Spain and Portugal.

• Censorship and Repression: Both regimes used intense censorship and repression to control opposition and shape public opinion. Comparing these practices in each totalitarian state provides valuable insight into the dynamics and tactics used by these regimes to stay in power.

Detailed Summary

Key Points

• Characteristics of Francoism: Francoism was marked by a strong military influence, with dictator Francisco Franco being a general who led a military insurrection. After the victory, he implemented a repressive authoritarian regime with nationalist and fascist elements. Despite an initial intention to join the fascist bloc during World War II, the regime opted for a policy of neutrality, remaining in power until Franco's death in 1975.

• Salazarism and neutrality in World War II: Salazarism, or Estado Novo, ruled Portugal under the leadership of António de Oliveira Salazar. Also characterized by its repressive authoritarianism, the regime differed from Francoism in its alliance with Western democracies during World War II. It maintained a policy of neutrality, emphasizing the preservation of territorial integrity and the restoration of the Portuguese economy.

• Comparison of regimes: Although both regimes were totalitarian and repressive, their approaches to important issues, such as foreign policy and economy, were differentiated. The comparative analysis of these approaches provides valuable insights into the complexity and diversity of totalitarian regimes.

Conclusions

• The diversity of totalitarian regimes: The study of Francoism and Salazarism highlights the diversity of ideologies and approaches within the spectrum of totalitarianism. These regimes demonstrate that, although sharing fundamental characteristics, they are not homogeneous and differ in the ways they exercise their power.

• The impact of World War II: World War II had a significant impact on the policies and alliances of these regimes. Each regime's choice regarding the war demonstrates the complexity of geopolitics and the limitations of conceptualizing totalitarian regimes as a monolithic bloc.

• Challenges and consequences of economic integration: The economic policies adopted by Francoism and Salazarism offer valuable lessons on the challenges and consequences of economic integration, as well as on the relationship between economy and politics in a totalitarian context.

Exercises

1. Authoritarianism Comparison: Compare the characteristics of Francoism, Salazarism, and a better-known totalitarian regime, such as Nazism or Italian Fascism. In what aspects are they similar and in what aspects do they differ?

2. Analysis of Foreign Policy: Discuss Franco and Salazar's decisions regarding World War II. Why did Franco choose a policy of neutrality, while Salazar allied with Western democracies? What were the implications of their choices for the future of their regimes and countries?

3. Impact of Economic Policies: How did the economic policies of Francoism and Salazarism influence the development of their respective countries? What were the main challenges and consequences of these policies?