The Triumph of ‘Normality’, Social Attitudes, Popular Opinion and the Construction of the Franco Regime in Post-War Rural Spain (1936–1952)

Abstract

As with other non-democratic regimes, the study of social attitudes has become one of the main themes used to explain the birth, consolidation and durability of the Franco dictatorship. The aim of this article is to demonstrate how the outlook adopted by ordinary Spaniards favoured the consolidation of the Franco regime during the post-war period. It does this by highlighting the importance of examining popular opinion at the local level, where state agents and members of society came into daily contact. By analysing social attitudes towards hunger and poverty, guerrilla activities and Spain’s diplomatic isolation, the article reveals a measure of tepid support for the regime. Together with the punishment of the defeated and the collaboration of regime supporters, the unenthusiastic but accepting opinions held by the majority of Spanish people were crucial to underpinning the regime ‘from below’. To these groups, the survival of dictatorship seemed to be the only solution that would avoid political confrontation and would allow people to live a ‘peaceful’ existence.