Fear and Progress: Ordinary Lives in Franco's Spain, 1939-1975

by Antonio Cazorla S225;nchez

Utilizing hundreds of confidential documents from authorities in the Franco government, Fear and Ordinary Lives in Franco's Spain, 1939-1975 recounts the experiences of Spanish citizens who lived during the 40-year Franco dictatorship. Rejects traditional explanations of the length of Franco's power and the dictator's legacy Utilizes hundreds of confidential documents from authorities in the Franco government Provides insights into life during the Franco how political violence and repression were experienced; how the dictatorship exploited illusions of peace and prosperity for its own benefit; and how the regime's legacy was manipulated Reveals the Franco government's social callousness and manipulation of events

Genres: History, Spain

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ali Di]

An intense and painful portrayal of life under a totalitarian dictator

Some were free hands
Seeking a greater freedom,
Some were indentured hands
Hoping to find their freedom,
Some were slave hands
Guarding in their hearts the seed of freedom,
But the word was there always:
Freedom.
- Langston Hughes

Fear and Progress: Ordinary Lives in Franco's Spain explores the brutal dictatorship that Spain experienced under General Franco's rule from 1939 to 1975. The book delves into how the regime constructed its portrayal of the past through historical memory projects and monuments, suppressing opposition through tactics like torture and the use of family members as hostages.

Poverty, Struggle, and Oppression
A vivid portrayal of the daily life of ordinary Spaniards during General Franco's rule in the post-war period is presented. The depiction shows widespread poverty, hunger, and the struggle for survival among the people. It also gives insight on the dictatorships repressive censorship, conservative social norms, and horrible educational system. The depiction is disturbing and portrays the suffering and poverty of the Spanish people during General Franco's regime.

Opposition, Violence, and the Relationship with the Regime
The author argues that while a majority of Spaniards wanted nothing to do with politics, repression started to affect these same apolitical people. The author suggests that violent measures by the dictatorship against political opposition groups were counterproductive because they reminded people of the darkest past and physical confrontation, something that ordinary Spaniards feared and rejected most. The book emphasizes the fear that ran through Spanish society, where even failing to clap during a newsreel that showed El Caudillo was considered an act of sedition.

Conservative and Restrictive Social Norms
The church and state worked together closely to make sure rules were followed. So, this book is a good way to learn about the social and cultural values of a system that is authoritarian and strict. It also shows how they worked together to create and put into place a harsh ethical system that limited personal freedom and policy.

First-Hand Accounts and Legacy
The author uses first-hand accounts to show how the regime affected ordinary people, such as those who were jailed, tortured, and killed because of their political beliefs. The author personalizes the statistics of political oppression by giving a voice to those who endured suffering under the regime. This resource is very helpful for people who want to learn about the effects of Francoism in Spain and how it affected the people there.

For those intrigued by Spain's history following the war, this captivating work is a must-read.

[James English]

What surprised me most about this text is how relevant it is today in United States politics. More than anything this history has convinced me that those who don't KNOW their history are doomed to repeat it, and that perhaps some that DO KNOW their history are willing to repeat it anyway because it propels them to or keeps them in power. It's hard to read about Falangist propaganda and Francoism and not see its shadows in modern US conservatism, from the systematic undermining of public education coupled with rampant anti-intellculaism, to the manipulative, racist, class-dividing rhetoric currently being so casually verbalized.

The history itself is well presented, and is rightly critical of Francoism and the Falangists. In reading it, one must remember this is not about the events leading up to the Spanish Civil War, nor the war itself, but rather seeks to provide an image of what life was like under the dictatorship in the post war years. Like most e-books, it could use a serious editorial review for copy, but that in no way diminished the facts and the view advanced. The author does a good job at keeping the reader engaged, which isn't easy a text covering such a broad historical time frame, but it is well reasoned, well written, and in my opinion critical study.

Anyone interested in history, and anyone watching in horror as the 2016 US presidential election lurches from one indescribably crass moment to the next should read this book and think hard about the kind of future they want for this country. Because the version that includes Francoism? That's better left in the past.

[Thomas Brown]

I learned a lot from this, in a relatively short (but dense) book. I think there was a good balance of facts and analysis, and very intelligently structured - generally but not slavishly chronological, with chapters based on different aspects of society's changes.

[Lewis]

A book characterized not by shocking mass violence (though the estimated death counts from the unnecessary privation of the 1940s is hardly negligible) but by persistent stifling dreariness. Relevant reading in what may prove to be a right-wing future for much of the world.