| 1931 | Spain receives a new constitution, liberal and progressive in its provisions: separation of church and state, a unified state, regional self government for Catalonia (1932) and the Basque country (1936), a limited degree of land reform. |
| 1932-33 | Foundation of the Confederation of the Autonomous Right (CEDA) and the fascist Falange. |
| 1933 | Election victory for Monarchists and Fascists. During the next three years there are a succession of government crises and serious disturbances, which lead to the dissolution of Parliament. |
| 1936 | After the victory of the Popular Front (Republicans, Socialists, Syndicalists and Communists) there is much social unrest (breaking up of large estates, occupation of factories). |
| 1936-39 | The Spanish Civil War breaks out after the murder of a monarchist member of Parliament, Calvo Sotelo (July 13th), and a military rising (July 17th) led by General Francisco France y Bahamonde (1892-1975) in Spanish Morocco. Franco and other generals set up a government in Burgos, and in the Junta de Defensa Nacional (Committee of National Defence) appoint him as their leader (Caudillo) and supreme commander of the rebel forces (September 30th). as leader of the Falange he is supported by the Monarchists and the conservative clergy.
While Franco's forces receive military support from Germany, Italy and Portugal the rupublican government receives help only from Mexico and the Soviet Union and from the volunteers of the International Brigade. Germany and Italy recognise the Franco government (November 18th 1936). |
| 1937 | Amalgamation of the Falange Española and the Traditionalista to form the Falange Española tradicionalista, led by Franco. |
| 1939 | Recognition of Franco's regime by France, Britain (February 27th) and the United States (April 1st). With the entry of fascist troops into Madrid (March 28th) the Civil Wat comes to an end. Spain joins the Anti-Comintern Pact (April 7th) and leaves the League of Nations (May 8th). |
| 1939-45 | During the Second World War Spain remains neutral in spite of its links with the Berlin-Rome axis. At Hitler's request, however, Franco sends the "Blue Division" (some 18,000 volunteers) to the eastern front. |
| 1940 | Spain occupies the International Zone of Tangier (November 3rd). The Trade Union Law (December 6th) prohibits strikes and free trade unions, which are replaced by paternalistic corporative organisations. Wage freeze, leading to an upturn in the economy. |
| 1945 | Spain is obliged to restore the international Zone of tangier (October 11th). |
| from 1945 | Spain is politically and economically isolated as a result of Franco's authoritarian regime. It is not a founding member of the United Notions and receives no aid under the Marshall Plan. |
| 1947 | A national referendum approves Franco's plan to restore the monarchy at a later date. |
| 1950 | The economic and diplomatic sanctions imposed on Spain by the United Nations in 1946 are lifted on the initiative of the United States; Spain grants the United States military bases. |
| from 1951 | Opposition to Franco's dictatorship grows. Major strikes, largely promoted by separatist movements (Aragon, Basque provinces, Asturias), and student revolts, and from 1962 battles over pay, directed against lack of political freedom and social abuses. |
| 1953 | Agreement on US bases: Spain receives economic and military aid worth a billion dollars which promotes economic development. |
| 1955 | Spain becomes a member of the United Nations. |
| 1956 | Loss of Spain's North African possessions (except the ports of Ceuta and Melila) to Morocco. |
| 1958 | Ifni, Spanish Guinea and the Spanish Sahara are declared to be Spanish oversea provinces. |
| 1959-60 | Spain becomes a member of the OEEC and OECD. |
| from 1960 | Spain, enjoys a considerable economic upsurge thanks to mass tourism, much foreign investment and remittances from Spanish workers in Western Europe. |
| 1962 | Spain applies for association with the EC. |
| 1962-63 | Miners' strikes in Asturias. |
| 1966 | A new Organic Law of the State is promulgated as a substitute for a new constitution. |
| 1966-68 | Demonstrations by students and priests calling for liberalisation |
| 1968 | Spain closes the frontier with Gibraltar at La Linea after the introduction of a new constitution in Gibraltar. |
| 1969-73 | The Roman Catholic organisation Opus Dei gains important posts in the government and economy and prevents any moves towards liberalisation. |
| 1969 | Juan Carlos (b. 1938 in Rome), grandson of the last king, Alfonso XIII, is nominated as successor (and from 1971 deputy) to Franco and as the country's future king.
Spain cedes Ifni to Morocco. |
| 1970 | Military agreement with France and renewal of the agreement on US bases. Basque rising (led by ETA, a militant separatist movement) against political repression. the Falange, whose influence had been steadily reduced by Franco since the 1950's, is renamed the Movimiento Nacional. |
| 1972-73 | Strikes in Asturias and Catalonia |
| 1973 | Carrero blanco, appointed prime minister in June, is murdered by ETA (December). |
| 1974 | The new prime minister, Arias Navarro, introduces minor political reforms. Spain (which is not a member of NATO) signs a "NATO parallel declaration". |
| from 1974 | The effects of the worldwide energy crisis and the economic recession aggravate Spain's internal difficulties: increased unemployment, high inflation, budgetary and balance of payments deficits. Increased terrorist activity by extremist organisations of left and right, harsh anti-terrorist laws and wildcat strikes reflect the country's political and social insecurity. |
| 1975 | State visit by US President Ford (June); renewal of agreement on US bases (October)
On Franco's death (November 20th) Prince Juan Carlos becomes king of Spain as Juan Carlos I. Basque, Catalan and Galacian are recognised as teaching and official languages |
