The military victory in the Civil War, the widespread and permanent repression of the dissident groups, as well as the vast political and social control, allowed to impose the Francoist dictatorship on the Spanish society. However, the establishing, development and persistence of the dictatorship was possible thanks to the backing that the ‘golpistas’ (participants in the coup d’état), first, and the regime, later, had in very relevant sectors of the Spanish society.

The aim of this conferences is to examine the main political and social supporters of the dictatorship, analysing the power relationships established between the power and the different groups and environments, which, to a greater or lesser extent, backed Franco up. Some very complex relationships in which the “steadfast backing” did not stop disagreements, internal tensions and rivalry between ideas, projects, clients and divergent interests from happening. In addition, the global vision about the most relevant foundations of the dictatorship as well as the analysis of the Francoist military power and the position of the Church in legitimating the regime will be addressed. The relationship between the big economical interests and the Francoist regime, the political cultures which set the foundation of the ally projects around the Francoist coalition, along with the work carried on by the single party FET-JONS and the scheme of the political cadre that held Franco’s regime in the territory will be discussed.