The Spanish transition to democracy was the process by which Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a parliamentary democracy after his death. Franco's chosen successor, King Juan Carlos I, surprised many by supporting reform, and with the prime minister Adolfo Suarez, he guided the passage of the Law for Political Reform in 1976. Political parties, including the Communist Party, were legalised, and free elections were held in 1977. A new constitution was approved by referendum in 1978, establishing a constitutional monarchy and giving autonomy to regions. An attempted military coup in 1981 failed, and the Socialist victory in the 1982 election confirmed that democracy had taken root. The transition is often cited as a model.
Before and after
- 1 November 1975Founding of UN Tourism
- 8 November 1975Cabinda Conflict
- from 11 November 1975 to 4 April 2002Angolan Civil War
- 20 November 1975Death of Francisco Franco
- from 20 November 1975 to 1 January 1983Spanish transition to democracy
- from 25 November 1975 to 1 January 1989Operation Condor
- from 7 December 1975 to 26 March 1979Indonesian invasion of East Timor
- 18 December 1975Birth of Sia
- from 1976 to 1993Buran programme
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- 1945Allied-occupied Germany
- 1950Discovery of the Ishango bone
- 1952Michael Ventris deciphers Linear B
- from 26 October 1955 to 30 April 1975South Vietnam
- from 1958 to 1960French New Wave
- from 2003 to 2006Serbia and Montenegro
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.