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.

..". this excellent history of the Spanish desire for reconciliation is a major contribution to the study of both the Transition and memory." . Journal of Modern History "This book ... is one of the most important research studies written recently about the Spanish transition to democracy ... It] will be of treat use for historians, researchers of cultural studies (Aguilar used cinema and art sources), political scientists and policy makers engaged in the transition process from non-democratic regimes." . Democratization "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 "Paloma Aguilar has made an important, meticulous and impartial contribution to a crucial aspect of our contemporary memory." . Victor Perez-Diaz, Complutense University of Madrid "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 ..". a very convincing analysis." . Historische Zeitschrift "The translation into English of a book written by a contemporary Spanish historian is an unusual publishing event. This] work.is richly deserving of this tribute.this excellent history of the Spanish desire for reconciliation is a major contribution to the study of both the Transition and memory." . Modern History 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 is Professor of Political Science at the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (Madrid, Spain) and Doctor Member of the Juan March Institute (Madrid, Spain)."

This book explores how new governments and societies deal with a legacy of past repression, in Portugal, Spain, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Germany after reunification, as well as Russia, the Southern Cone of Latin America and Central America, as well as South Africa. It looks at official truth commissions, trials and amnesties and purges and unofficial social initiatives to deal with the past. The book also assesses the significance of forms of reckoning with the past for a process of democratic deepening as well as the importance of international actors in shaping policies to deal with past legacies in some of the countries examined.

The foundation of a stable democracy in Spain was built on a settled account: an agreement that both sides were equally guilty of violence, a consensus to avoid contention, and a pact of oblivion as the pathway to peace and democracy. That foundation is beginning to crack as perpetrators' confessions upset the silence and exhumations of mass graves unbury new truths. It has become possible, even if not completely socially acceptable, to speak openly about the past, to disclose the testimonies of the victims, and to ask for truth and justice. Contentious coexistence that put political participation, contestation, and expression in practice has begun to emerge. This book analyzes how this recent transformation has occurred. It recognizes that political processes are not always linear and inexorable. Thus, it remains to be seen how far contentious coexistence will go in Spain.