Spain: The 20th Century in Color

Episode Synopsis

The beginning of Franco's dictatorship. The repression by the victors targets the losers of the war and especially women who suddenly lose all their freedoms, returning to a life in service of their husbands and homes. Spain suddenly returns to being a conservative and traditional state in which religion controls education. The post-war period is extraordinarily harsh: hunger, disease and hardships of all kinds plague the population. Rationing cards for basic necessities are imposed, but they are not enough to cover the daily diet. This situation coincides with the outbreak of World War II and Franco wants to take advantage of his friendship with Hitler while the German army has the upper hand. By the mid-decade, World War II turns toward the Allies and pushes Franco to distance himself from his relationship with Hitler and move closer to the United States.