FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS.

FRANCO, Francisco, 1892-1975; EMPLOYMENT; WORLD War II; NEUTRALITY; SPANISH history, 1939-1975; HISTORY; HISTORIOGRAPHY

The essay argues that the Post-Cold War historiography of Spain under the fascist regime of Francisco Franco from 1939 to 1975 fails in its interpretation of the relative success of the government. It considers Spain's position of neutrality in World War II, its economic policies which kept unemployment low throughout the era, and its policies protecting workers which consequently maintained birth rates.