Toppling Franco? Great Britain, Spain, and the New World Order 1945–1951

Abstract

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This chapter analyzes the evolution of British policy toward Francoist Spain between 1945 and 1951, a period marked by the transition from wartime diplomacy to Cold War geopolitics. Initially, the United Kingdom sought to isolate Franco’s regime, influenced by Labour’s ideological hostility and international pressure following the Potsdam Declaration. British diplomacy oscillated between promoting regime change and avoiding civil conflict, while struggling to maintain strategic autonomy amid growing U.S. dominance. Attempts to coordinate opposition forces and explore alternatives to Franco failed, as American priorities shifted toward integrating Spain into Western defense plans. By 1949–1951, military considerations and the Korean War accelerated Spain’s reintegration, culminating in the normalization of relations and paving the way for the 1953 Pact of Madrid. The study highlights Britain’s declining global influence and the pragmatic acceptance of Franco as a Cold War ally.