Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Economic and social change, 1956–75: economic problems, the decline of the…
Full specification wording
Dictatorship remodelled and the transition to democracy, 1956–78: Economic and social change, 1956–75: economic problems, the decline of the Falange and rise of the technocrats in the late 1950s; the ‘economic miracle’, 1960–75 and impact of the growth of tourism; social developments and tensions.
Francoist Spain faced economic problems in the late 1950s: autarky had produced shortages, inflation and a weak balance of payments.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Francoist Spain faced economic problems in the late 1950s: autarky had produced shortages, inflation and a weak balance of payments. The Falange lost economic influence as Opus Dei technocrats entered government from 1957, drafting the 1959 Stabilisation Plan, which devalued the peseta and liberalised trade. From 1960 to 1975 the ‘economic miracle’ transformed Spain: industry, foreign investment and emigration to northern Europe grew, while tourism expanded along the coasts, bringing foreign currency and cultural contact. Growth created consumer society, urbanisation and a larger middle class, but also regional imbalance, inflation and labour unrest. Social developments included changing gender roles, rising expectations and generational tension, which the regime struggled to contain.
What earns the marks
- Explains late-1950s economic problems: autarky, shortages, inflation and balance-of-payments strain.
- Explains the decline of Falange influence and the rise of Opus Dei technocrats from 1957, including the 1959 Stabilisation Plan.
- Explains the ‘economic miracle’ 1960–75: industrial growth, foreign investment, emigration and rising living standards.
- Explains the impact of tourism: foreign currency, coastal development, cultural contact and regional inequality.
- Explains social developments and tensions: urbanisation, consumerism, changing gender roles, labour unrest and generational conflict.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the ‘economic miracle’ as uniform across Spain.
Put it right by noting regional and sectoral imbalance.
Assuming the Falange disappeared immediately.
Put it right by explaining its gradual loss of economic influence to the technocrats.
Describing tourism only as leisure.
Put it right by linking it to foreign currency, employment and cultural change.
Exam tips
- Link economic policy to political change, showing how technocrats reshaped the regime.
- Use specific evidence such as the 1959 Stabilisation Plan and coastal tourism growth.
- Balance economic and social consequences in every paragraph.
Try the lesson
The start of the Dictatorship remodelled and the transition to democracy, 1956–78: Economic and social change, 1956–75: economic problems, the decline of the Falange and rise of the technocrats in the late 1950s; the ‘economic miracle’, 1960–75 and impact of the growth of tourism; social developments and tensions. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In the late 1950s, which group rose to political prominence in Spain to implement economic stabilisation policies?
Listen
Francoist Spain faced economic problems in the late 1950s: autarky had produced shortages, inflation and a weak balance of payments. The Falange lost economic influence as Opus Dei technocrats entered government from 1957, drafting the 1959 Stabilisation Plan, which devalued the peseta and liberalised trade. From 1960 to 1975 the ‘economic miracle’ transformed Spain: industry, foreign investment and emigration to northern Europe grew, while tourism expanded along the coasts, bringing foreign currency and cultural contact. Growth created consumer society, urbanisation and a larger middle class, but also regional imbalance, inflation and labour unrest. Social developments included changing gender roles, rising expectations and generational tension, which the regime struggled to contain. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains late-1950s economic problems: autarky, shortages, inflation and balance-of-payments strain. Explains the decline of Falange influence and the rise of Opus Dei technocrats from 1957, including the 1959 Stabilisation Plan. Explains the ‘economic miracle’ 1960–75: industrial growth, foreign investment, emigration and rising living standards. Explains the impact of tourism: foreign currency, coastal development, cultural contact and regional inequality. A common slip: Treating the ‘economic miracle’ as uniform across Spain. Instead, noting regional and sectoral imbalance. Exam tip: Link economic policy to political change, showing how technocrats reshaped the regime.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Opus Dei technocrats entered government, weakening Falange economic influence
- 2. Start of the ‘economic miracle’ transforming Spain
- 3. Stabilisation Plan devalued the peseta and liberalised trade
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Economic liberalisation and state planning
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Technocratic governance and Falange decline
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Tourism and foreign influence
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Social change and tension under dictatorship
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Economic liberalisation and state planning
- The 1959 Stabilisation Plan devalued the peseta and liberalised trade, drafted by Opus Dei technocrats who entered government from 1957 as autarky had produced shortages, inflation and a weak balance of payments.
- Technocratic governance and Falange decline
- The Falange lost economic influence as Opus Dei technocrats entered government from 1957, drafting the 1959 Stabilisation Plan.
- Tourism and foreign influence
- Tourism expanded along the coasts, bringing foreign currency and cultural contact, while growth also produced regional imbalance, inflation and labour unrest.
- Social change and tension under dictatorship
- Social developments included changing gender roles, rising expectations and generational tension, which the regime struggled to contain.
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