Memory and Amnesia

Using a rich variety of sources such as official newsreels, school textbooks, the work of contemporary historians, memoirs, official documents, legislation, and monuments, this book explores how the historical memory of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) influenced the transition to democracy in Spain after Franco's death in 1975. The author traces the development of official discourse on the War throughout the Franco period and describes the regime's attempts to achieve political legitimacy. Although there was no universal consensus regarding the events of the Civil War, general agreement did exist concerning the main lesson which should be drawn from it: never again should Spaniards become embroiled in a fratricidal conflict. "Paloma Aguilar's detailed and composed study of the historical memory of the Spanish Civil War is a work of considerable importance. In addition to its scientific interest, it offers an exciting read." Paul Preston, London School of Economics; "This methodologically exemplary study makes an essential contribution to research on historical memory in Spain, the most important issue within the country's contemporary history." Stanley Payne, University of Wisconsin-Madison"