Búnker
Encyclopedia
The term búnker refers to a far-right faction during the Spanish transition to democracy
. The group of hardline francoists opposed political and social reform; the group's steadfast refusal to compromise led to the name of "bunker
." Under the presidency of Carlos Arias Navarro
, búnker and its leading member, José Antonio Girón
, opposed any movement towards reform. Blas Piñar
also served as one of the group's members.
The name of búnker's mouthpiece, El Alcázar
, refers to the Siege of the Alcázar
, where nationalist forces held the Alcázar of Toledo
against an overwhelmingly larger Spanish Republicans army during the Spanish Civil War
.
Spanish transition to democracy
The Spanish transition to democracy was the era when Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a liberal democratic state. The transition is usually said to have begun with Franco’s death on 20 November 1975, while its completion has been variously said to be marked by the Spanish...
. The group of hardline francoists opposed political and social reform; the group's steadfast refusal to compromise led to the name of "bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
." Under the presidency of Carlos Arias Navarro
Carlos Arias Navarro
Don Carlos Arias-Navarro, 1st Marquis of Arias-Navarro, Grandee of Spain, born Carlos Arias y Navarro was one of the best known Spanish politicians during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco....
, búnker and its leading member, José Antonio Girón
José Antonio Girón
José Antonio Girón de Velasco was a prominent Spanish Falangist politician. He was minister of Labor , counselor of the Kingdom's Council and member of the Cortes Generales...
, opposed any movement towards reform. Blas Piñar
Blas Piñar
Blas Piñar is a Spanish politician. He has had connections with Catholic organizations; directed the Institute of Spanish Culture and served as deputy in the Cortes and a councillor of the Movimiento Nacional.In the 1960s, Blas Piñar was in charge of the Institute of Spanish Culture that was...
also served as one of the group's members.
The name of búnker's mouthpiece, El Alcázar
El Alcázar
El Alcázar was a Spanish far-right newspaper founded in 1936 . The paper was founded as the principal nationalist mouthpiece during the Siege of the Alcázar in homage to the defenders of the Alcázar of Toledo ....
, refers to the Siege of the Alcázar
Siege of the Alcázar
The Siege of the Alcázar was a highly symbolic Nationalist victory in Toledo in the opening stages of the Spanish Civil War. The Alcázar of Toledo was held by a variety of military forces in favor of the Nationalist uprising. Militias of the parties in the Popular Front began their siege on July 21...
, where nationalist forces held the Alcázar of Toledo
Alcázar of Toledo
The Alcázar of Toledo is a stone fortification located in the highest part of Toledo, Spain. Once used as a Roman palace in the 3rd century, it was restored under Charles I and Philip II of Spain in the 1540's...
against an overwhelmingly larger Spanish Republicans army 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...
.