Alberto Martín-Artajo
Encyclopedia
Alberto Martín-Artajo Álvarez (Madrid
, 1905–1979) was a legal technocrat for the Nationalist (rebel) government during the Spanish Civil War
and for the succeeding dictatorship of Francisco Franco
, and a Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs
. He served as the Foreign Minister from 1945 to 1957. Ideologically, he was not a Falangist (a member of the original Falange Española, the fascist-like party, before it absorbed the other anti-Republican parties), but a monarchist and a leader of the dynamic and powerful Catholic movement within the Francoist coalition. During the time of the Second Spanish Republic
, he had been a member of the Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right
(CEDA, existed 1933–1937).
He received his secondary education at the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo. Martín-Artajo earned a law degree from the University of Madrid
. He became a staff attorney of the Council of State in 1931. During the Republic, Martín-Artajo worked closely with Ángel Herrera Oria
, the director of the Catholic newspaper El Debate and belonged to the lay "National Catholic Association of Propagators of the Faith" (propagandistas). With the start of the Spanish Civil War, Martín-Artajo went over to the insurgent Nationalists. He was a legal adviser to the Nationalist government's Junta Técnica del Estado (State Technical Council), Franco's pseudocabinet, and to the Nationalist government's Labor Ministry. In 1940, General Franco appointed him president of the mass movement, Catholic Action
.
In 1945, Martín-Artajo participated in the drafting of the quasiconstitutional "Fuero
of the Spanish People", a list of rights, freedoms, and responsibilities that was internationally regarded as a sham.
In July 1945, fresh after the defeat of fascist Germany, Franco wanted to present the Spanish government as "Catholic" rather than a profascist, in the face of ostracism from other Western countries. Franco wanted to appoint Martín-Artajo Minister of Foreign Affairs. After consulting with the Primate of Spain, Cardinal Enrique Pla y Deniel, he accepted the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and resigned from his position at Catholic Action. His diplomatic efforts succeeded in breaking the dictatorship's isolation. He effectuated the signing of the Concordat with the Holy See
in August 1953, the bilateral Pact of Madrid
with the United States the following September, and Spain's entry into the United Nations in 1955.
After retiring from the Foreign Ministry, he worked on the Council of State and at the publisher, Editorial Católica.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, 1905–1979) was a legal technocrat for the Nationalist (rebel) government during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
and for the succeeding dictatorship of Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
, and a Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs (Spain)
The Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation is the department of Government of Spain responsible for Spain's foreign relations. The present incumbent of the office is Trinidad Jiménez of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party ....
. He served as the Foreign Minister from 1945 to 1957. Ideologically, he was not a Falangist (a member of the original Falange Española, the fascist-like party, before it absorbed the other anti-Republican parties), but a monarchist and a leader of the dynamic and powerful Catholic movement within the Francoist coalition. During the time of the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
, he had been a member of the Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right
Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right
The Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right was a Spanish political party in the Second Spanish Republic. A Catholic conservative force, it was the political heir to Angel Herrera Oria's Acción Popular and defined itself in terms of the 'affirmation and defence of the principles of Christian...
(CEDA, existed 1933–1937).
He received his secondary education at the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo. Martín-Artajo earned a law degree from the University of Madrid
University of Madrid
The Complutense University of Madrid is a public university in Madrid, Spain, and one of the oldest universities in the world.The University of Madrid may also refer to:* The Autonomous University of Madrid, a public university founded in 1968...
. He became a staff attorney of the Council of State in 1931. During the Republic, Martín-Artajo worked closely with Ángel Herrera Oria
Ángel Herrera Oria
Ángel Herrera Oria was a Spanish journalist, Catholic lay leader, politician and later priest, bishop and cardinal...
, the director of the Catholic newspaper El Debate and belonged to the lay "National Catholic Association of Propagators of the Faith" (propagandistas). With the start of the Spanish Civil War, Martín-Artajo went over to the insurgent Nationalists. He was a legal adviser to the Nationalist government's Junta Técnica del Estado (State Technical Council), Franco's pseudocabinet, and to the Nationalist government's Labor Ministry. In 1940, General Franco appointed him president of the mass movement, Catholic Action
Catholic Action
Catholic Action was the name of many groups of lay Catholics who were attempting to encourage a Catholic influence on society.They were especially active in the nineteenth century in historically Catholic countries that fell under anti-clerical regimes such as Spain, Italy, Bavaria, France, and...
.
In 1945, Martín-Artajo participated in the drafting of the quasiconstitutional "Fuero
Fuero
Fuero , Furs , Foro and Foru is a Spanish legal term and concept.The word comes from Latin forum, an open space used as market, tribunal and meeting place...
of the Spanish People", a list of rights, freedoms, and responsibilities that was internationally regarded as a sham.
In July 1945, fresh after the defeat of fascist Germany, Franco wanted to present the Spanish government as "Catholic" rather than a profascist, in the face of ostracism from other Western countries. Franco wanted to appoint Martín-Artajo Minister of Foreign Affairs. After consulting with the Primate of Spain, Cardinal Enrique Pla y Deniel, he accepted the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and resigned from his position at Catholic Action. His diplomatic efforts succeeded in breaking the dictatorship's isolation. He effectuated the signing of the Concordat with the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
in August 1953, the bilateral Pact of Madrid
Pact of Madrid
The Pact of Madrid, signed in 1953 by Spain and the United States, ended a period of virtual isolation for Spain, although the other victorious allies of World War II and much of the rest of the world remained hostile to what they regarded as a fascist regime sympathetic to the Nazi cause and...
with the United States the following September, and Spain's entry into the United Nations in 1955.
After retiring from the Foreign Ministry, he worked on the Council of State and at the publisher, Editorial Católica.
Further study
- España durante el franquismo slide show at www.slideshare.net
- Tusell, Javier. 2007. Spain: From Dictatorship to Democracy: 1939 to the Present. Blackwell.