Francoist Spain

Francoist Spain (Spanish: España franquista) or the Francoist dictatorship (dictadura franquista), was the period of Spanish history between 1939 and 1975, when Francisco Franco ruled Spain. During this time period Spain was officially known as the Spanish State (Estado Español). After Franco’s death, Spain turned into a democracy.

Spanish State Estado Español
1936–1975
Flag (1945–1977) Coat of arms (1945–1977)
Motto: Una, Grande y Libre ("One, Great and Free") Plus Ultra ("Further Beyond")
Anthem: Marcha Granadera ("Grenadier March")
Territories and colonies of the Spanish State:   Spain, Ifni, Western Sahara and Guinea   Protectorate in Morocco   Tangier International Zone
Capital and largest city	Madrid
Official languages	Spanish
Religion	Roman Catholicism (official)
Demonym(s)	Spanish, Spaniard
Government	Personalist Dictatorship
Head of state
• 1936–1975	Francisco Franco
Head of Government
• 1938–1973	Francisco Franco
• 1973	Luis Carrero Blanco
• 1973–1975	Carlos Arias Navarro
Legislature	Cortes Españolas
Historical era	World War II, Cold War
• Civil War	17 July 1936
• Nationalist victory	1 April 1939
• Succession law	6 July 1947
• UN membership	14 December 1955
• Organic Law	1 January 1967
• Franco's death	20 November 1975
Area
1940	796,030 km2 (307,350 sq mi)
Population
• 1940	25,877,971
Currency	Spanish peseta
Calling code	+34
Preceded by Succeeded by Nationalist faction Second Spanish Republic Spanish transition to democracy
Today part of	Equatorial Guinea Morocco Spain Western Sahara

During the Spanish Civil War, Francisco Franco led the nationalists supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The republicans were supported by the Soviet Union, Mexico, and France. The dictatorship was created right after the nationalists won. Francisco Franco made himself the Caudillo of Spain and ruled until his death in 1975.

Francoism

Francoist demonstration in Salamanca in 1937

Nationalism

Francisco Franco promoted ultranationalism. He did not allow the use of regional languages such as Catalan, Basque, Galician, and promoted Spanish as the only official language.