Spain: Anarchists, communists and CCOO under and post-Franco
Apr 10 2006 14:45
Admin - split from How did you become an anarchist? thread
nunu wrote:
my parents were involved in comunist party under franco´s regime, when franco died they became quieter and quieter... but still we had discussions about working class concepts at lunch.So when I was about 15 I was obviously comunist (jajaja) but not convinced because this whole lot of only working class issues looked to me like there was something missing. I started get involved with feminism, and education (Ferrer i Guardia) and landed in the cnt. What I was missing is the social aspect of any revolution, the ethics and above all, the idividualism inside the mass.
x
Interesting stuff cheers nunu, and welcome to the boards.
What do your parents think about your anarchosyndicalism?
Apr 9 2006 22:12
#2
My father, granfather and great granfather were members of the CCOO, the PCE union. The only thing they mentioned to me (my granfather specially) is their respect for he cnt (in their little village the use to fight together in the war and post-war), but a little bit disapointed about me (the grandauther) join to the cnt hahaha.
Apr 9 2006 22:26
#3
Surely Franco didn't let commie unions continue post-39, unless my Spanish Literature and Culture tutor's been lying to me!!
Apr 9 2006 22:33
#4
CCOO did exist in the civil war, very very small and with particularities very different and what is now. If is this what you mean. Then in the transition where clandestine and after that well, you know it. I cannot tell v much about it.
nu
Apr 9 2006 22:34
#5
ah my family went to the exile in france and then came back... like thousands of others.
Apr 9 2006 22:39
#6
Quote:
CCOO did exist in the civil war, very very small and with particularities very different and what is now.
No, nunu, you are in a mistake. CCOO were created in the sixties and was later (in the seventies) when they were controlled by the PCE, that used them like "transmision belt".
Quote:
Then in the transition where clandestine
No, they were legalized a bit after Franco´s die...
Apr 9 2006 22:42
#7
Surely if they existed before Franco they would have continued existing under him, just not "officialy" existing?
Was the CCOO called something else before the sixties?
Apr 9 2006 22:50
#8
rkn wrote:
Surely if they existed before Franco they would have continued existing under him, just not "officialy" existing?
Well as an abstract, yes, but as an actually active organisation (in any way, shape or form)??
Apr 9 2006 22:53
#9
No, CCOO means "Comisiones Obreras".
In the sixties, the "classics" working class organisations (CNT and UGT) were broke by the franquist repression during the 40s and 50s [Above all, the CNT, that was the organisatio who had more deaths in their files in the fight against fascism]. Then, the proletariat looked for ways to confront the capitalism evading repression: they created in some factories "comisiones obreras" ("workers´delegations") to talk with the bosses to propose them their requests. These first "comisiones" only carried the requests to the bosses, then they dissolve, until the next proposition. Later, the CCOO were structuring like an organisation and infiltrate at the franquist "Vertical Unions" and their Workers´ Elections.
Then, these CCOO were bureaucratizing and falling in the hands of the PCE. In a principle were in CCOO many people from CNT and UGT. Where the CCOO fell in the hands of the PCE, they went out.
Apr 9 2006 23:05
#10
Ok, because my gran is dead I cannot ask him, but I will ask my dad what was exactly the organisation where my gran was.
Quote:
Later, the CCOO were structuring like an organisation and infiltrate at the franquist "Vertical Unions" and their Workers´ Elections.
When was that? In which year...
Apr 9 2006 23:28
#11
I didn' know this fact. But I admit that my family were communist. I am sorry about this... in a country like spain I prefer it like this rather than a catholic one hahaha.
Apr 10 2006 13:55
#12
Quote:
Quote:
Later, the CCOO were structuring like an organisation and infiltrate at the franquist "Vertical Unions" and their Workers´ Elections.When was that? In which year...
From the middle of the sixties.
Apr 10 2006 14:28
#13
The CC.OO. were born after the miner strike in Asturias in 1962. They were at first autonomous workers assemblies. A kind of early council communist bodies working as a federation of worker assemblies. However, these "commissions" or committees (comisiones) expanded throu all Spain and gained enough prestige to the eyes of the working class, to be eventually coopted by the communist party.
Anarchists and anarcho-syndicalists were almost defeated in the 50s. In the early 60s they tried to re-organize. Some engaged in armed struggle [DI, DRIL, Grupo 1º de mayo]. It was more or less during the 60s when the communists won enough prestige to substitute anarchosyndicalists.
By 1966 they already could control CC.OO. However, there were some autonomous and anarchists tendencies inside them. Most of them left CCOO to re-build CNT in 1976.
Apr 10 2006 15:34
#14
I have some catalan friends, and although this might sound like a stupid question i prefer to ask someone who has more local knowledge and experience. They seem to believe that Spain is still 'fascist' after the 'transition' and are there some similarities evident today or is this just catalan nationalism attempting to strengthen its credibility and gain 'independence'. Is there any good english articles you can point me to dealing with the debate around 'transition'?
Apr 10 2006 16:10
#15
Bobby - excellent question that probably needs another thread again. I'm fascinated to hear how Spanish comrades would answer that question. As I understand it, the nature of the democratic transition leaves the current Spanish social democratic model incomplete and still with a residue of fascism. Spanish immigration law, for instance, was minimal and incredibly anti-immigrant (even in comparison to its EU neighbours) until post-2000 (and Spanish comrades would probably argue still today).
The Catalan independence movement is noted to be more moderate than its Basque counterpart (obviously), and that is reflected in its demands. I was also told by a friend from Barcelona that it has far greater support in Catalonia than ETA/Batasuna have in the Basque country.
Apr 10 2006 16:17
#16
Alan_is_Fucking_Dead wrote:
The Catalan independence movement is noted to be more moderate than its Basque counterpart (obviously), and that is reflected in its demands. I was also told by a friend from Barcelona that it has far greater support in Catalonia than ETA/Batasuna have in the Basque country.
that's a simplistic way of looking at it, batasuna represent the radical end of basques nationalism and average around 10% support in their regions, the more moderate and rightwing basque nationalist party has a lot more support, in catalonia the republican left have about the same support levels as batasuna maybe less, while the conservative nationalists have similar levels of support to the basque conservative nationalists
from what i've read anyway
Apr 10 2006 18:19
#17
The Spanish "transition" supposed a pact between the franquists sectors and socialists and PCE. They signed a tacit "punto final Laws" like later in Argentina: the killers of the regime would not be ever judged and the bosses who had won its fortune taking advantage from the favours and repression of the regime, would be "respected". A tacit "silence pact" about the past was signed too. Like offsetting entry, it was implemented a parlamentary-western system in which could take part socialists and communists.
The TRANSICIÓN "transition" was really a TRAICIÓN "treason" from the reformist left.
What a pity don´t speak English better to explain the process as well as I´d like... 
Apr 10 2006 19:28
#18
Cheers for the answer Manu, but does those senior members of the Francoist regime who have been given ´'immunity' from prosecution, still occupy influential positions within the PP, and others institutions of the Spanish state such as the army, police and judiciary?
Apr 10 2006 20:32
#19
Manu Garcia wrote:
The Spanish "transition" supposed a pact between the franquists sectors and socialists and PCE. They signed a tacit "punto final Laws" like later in Argentina: the killers of the regime would not be ever judged and the bosses who had won its fortune taking advantage from the favours and repression of the regime, would be "respected". A tacit "silence pact" about the past was signed too. ... The TRANSICIÓN "transition" was really a TRAICIÓN "treason" from the reformist left.
There was a really good movie showing in arthouse cinemas about this recently - basically it was made up of interviews with historians and communists who all talked about the voluntary collective amnesia whic was entered into around the transition. this way the fascists were guaranteed continued safety and the socialists and communists could hope to get into power. It also showed the extent of the post victory Francoist repression network with its collection of prison and work camps. Great movie, but pretty depressing. It also made me hate communiss more.
Can't find the name of the film but i think it was something like 'Tears for Spain'...
Looking for the film i found a link to an interesting looking article - anyone here got access to athens through their college? Fancy fetching this article: http://muse.jhu.edu/cgi-bin/access.cgi?uri=/journals/human_rights_quarterly/v027/27.3davis.html
Apr 10 2006 21:13
#20
Quote:
does those senior members of the Francoist regime who have been given ´'immunity' from prosecution, still occupy influential positions within the PP, and others institutions of the Spanish state such as the army, police and judiciary?
Yes, of course!
The army, the judiciary and police wasn´t touched during the transition. The generals and important judges of today are sons and daughters of the ones who were during Franco´s life...
Manuel Fraga, the president of one Spanish region, Galicia, and the founder of AP (later PP) was an important man in the Franco regime (by the way, one of his positions was embassador at the UK).
There is a joke about it. Franco resurrects and comes to the Spain of 2002 (during PP government). He asked a friend about the political situation, and he tells him:
- The president is called Aznar.
- Ah! My good friend Manuel Aznar, a good historian of our Crusade and an excelent journalist!
- No, Excellency, is his grandson, José María.
- Ah, very well! Who is the Information Minister?
- Mr. Cabanillas, Excellency
- Very well, the loyal Pio Cabanillas, one of my dearest ministers!
- No, Excellency, is his son...
- OK, a good boy too, for sure... Who is leading the Economy?
- Mr. Rato
- Oh! Is it still alive that formidable man! Ramon was one of my best friends and an exemplary bussiness men and a good journalist against the anti-Spain!
- Really, it is his son, Rodrigo.
Franco continues asking for the rest of the government, and the reply is always the same: "no, Excellency, is his son/grandson". Until that comes the turn of Fraga. Then Franco asks "is it the son of my good Don Manuel, isn´t?". "No, Excellency, IS HE!" 
Apr 10 2006 21:15
#21
Quote:
Can't find the name of the film but i think it was something like 'Tears for Spain'...
I don´t know that movie... Is Spanish the movie? What would be his title in Spanish?
Apr 10 2006 21:15
#22
I heard that there has not been alot of 'analysis' on the transition other than the 'official' version. During this period what was the CNT's analysis of the transition, although i understand that they were only emerging after decades of repression.
Apr 10 2006 21:18
#23
Quote:
During this period what was the CNT's analysis of the transition, although i understand that they were only emerging after decades of repression
.
There are many analysis about the process in the anarchist and anarchosyndicalist press of the period.
Quote:
I heard that there has not been alot of 'analysis' on the transition other than the 'official' version.
There many, but the oficial press silence them...
Apr 10 2006 23:48
#24
The Wikipedia page on the Spanish transition to democracy. I briefly studied this as part of my course, but not in anything like the detail I would have liked. I am very intrigued to hear Manu et al's perspective on this in Spanish or English - I don't suppose the admin would allow for a Spanish regional board??
Apr 10 2006 23:50
#25
Alan_is_Fucking_Dead wrote:
The Wikipedia page on the Spanish transition to democracy. I briefly studied this as part of my course, but not in anything like the detail I would have liked. I am very intrigued to hear Manu et al's perspective on this in Spanish or English - I don't suppose the admin would allow for a Spanish regional board??
We would if we had a trusted person to admin it regularly...
Apr 12 2006 12:04
#26
That movie I mentioned earlier is called 'Bars in the memory' / 'Rejas en la memoria'.
Heres the blurb:
Unlocking historical doors sealed for decades, director Manuel Palacios’ Bars in the Memory balances analysis and emotion in its thorough study of the persecution of nearly 500,000 political prisoners held in concentration camps in Spain by Franco’s Fascist regime. The extent of the network of prison camps will stun most non-Spaniards, but it is the human faces of the survivors that lends this documentary a special grace and power. The gallery of historians and writers (including Jorge Semprun) is impressive enough, but it is the group of now-elderly former prisoners, sturdy and stalwart while recalling their darkest times, that brings history fully to life.
Spain, 2004. English subtitles. Colour. 86 min.
Director: Manuel Palacios
Internet Movie database link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442442/
Apr 12 2006 15:04
#27
Quote:
That movie I mentioned earlier is called 'Bars in the memory' / 'Rejas en la memoria'.
I have heard about it, but I haven´t seen it.
More like this
- 1951: Barcelona general strike
- Class Struggle in the Unemployment Capital of Europe Lower Andalucia, 1995-96 - Loren Goldner
- Class struggle in the unemployment capital of Europe, Lower Andalucia, 1995-96
- Coordinadora - Spanish dock workers build union without bureaucrats
- The relationships between the Spanish CGT and CNT
The PCE??