Module description
For a long time, Spain was considered an “exception” in Europe. This was due to the legacy of the seemingly interminable authoritarian regime of Francisco Franco, one of the longest-lasting dictatorships in Europe (1939-1975). Ironically, this image has been radically reversed in recent years. Spain is frequently considered an “exemplary” case, given that its peaceful transition to democracy (1975-1978), seconded by its subsequent impressive economic growth during the 1980s and 1990s, has served as a model throughout Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.
This module will temper exaggerated images of Spain as both a “backward” nation during the civil war and the dictatorship and a “triumphant” one during democracy. Instead, we well break down these historical periods and analyse them in the context of broad European trends. The module covers the defining period of contemporary Spanish history – a post-imperial Spain, adjusting with difficulty to a new European identity, following European patterns (industrialisation, demographic transition, democratisation) but with important specificities due to historical traditions, economic backwardness, geography and foreign intervention.
Assessment details
2,000 word essay (50%); 2-hour examination (50%)
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week
Suggested reading list
- Álvarez Junco, José, and Shubert, Adrian (eds.), Spanish History since 1808 (London: Arnold, 2000)
- Carr, Raymond, and Juan Pablo Fusi Aizpurúa, Spain. Dictatorship to Democracy, 2nd ed. (London: Routledge, 1994)
- Gilmour, David, The Transformation of Spain: From Franco to the Constitutional Monarchy (London: Quartet Books, 1985)
- Payne, Stanley G., The Franco Regime, 1936-1975 (London: Phoenix Press, 2000)
- Romero Salvadó, Francisco J., Twentieth-Century Spain: Politics and Society in Spain, 1898-1998 (London: Macmillan, 1999)