Encarnación, Omar G. History, Politics, and Forgetting in Spain

The chapter explores Spain’s Pact of Forgetting, a unique and informal agreement crucial to its transition to democracy following Franco’s death in 1975. Unlike formal political pacts, this agreement was never codified or publicly debated, yet profoundly shaped Spain’s post-Franco era. At its core, the pact aimed to prevent historical divisions from hindering democratic consolidation. It included a comprehensive amnesty law that shielded those associated with Franco’s regime from prosecution, fostering a collective silence on past atrocities and political affiliations. This silence extended to education and public discourse, where narratives of the Civil War and Francoist era were softened or omitted altogether.

The importance of the Pact of Forgetting lies in its role in averting potential conflict and facilitating a smooth transition to democracy. By sidestepping contentious historical debates, it provided stability but also preserved Francoist symbols and narratives in various parts of Spain, reflecting regional differences in dealing with the past. However, its unintended consequences include perpetuating inequality in remembering Franco’s victims and maintaining a dual narrative of Spain’s history. The article emphasizes how this informal pact continues to influence Spain’s political and cultural landscape, shaping national identity and memory politics well into the 21st century.

Author of this entry: Meritxell Espona Vinyeta.

Encarnación, Omar G.. 2014. “History, Politics, and Forgetting in Spain” in Democracy Without Justice in Spain : The Politics of Forgetting, 27-49. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.