Page 74 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain
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72 INTRODUCING SP AIN
Modern Spain
Franco’s death left Spain’s political future hanging in the
balance. But few people wanted to preserve the old regime
and the transition from dictatorship to democracy proved
surprisingly swift and painless. The previously outlawed
Socialist Workers’ Party, under Felipe González, won the
general election in 1982 and set about modern izing Spain.
Considerable power has since been devolved to the regions. Spain Today
For many years a major threat facing central government was Spain
the persistent violence of ETA, the Basque separatist organization. Other European
Union states
Spain’s international relations have been strengthened by its
membership of NATO and the European Union.
Castilla y León’s
modern pavilion Hi-tech
was one of EXPO’s
150 pavilions built to floodlight
innovative designs.
Coup d’Etat, 23 February 1981
Civil Guard colonel, Antonio Tejero, held
parliament at gunpoint for several hours.
Democracy survived because King Juan Carlos
refused to support the rebels.
Anti-NATO
Protest Rally
When Spain joined
NATO in 1982, some Expo ‘92
saw it as a reversal
of Socialist ideals. To Over 100 countries were represented at the
others it represented Universal Exposition, which focused world
an improvement attention on Seville in 1992. The many pavilions
in Spain’s interna displayed scientific, technological and
tional standing. cultural exhibits.
Spanish royal family 1992 Barcelona Olympics and Seville
1981 Military officers stage attempted Expo ’92 place Spain firmly within
coup d’etat to overthrow democracy community of modern European nations
1998 ETA, the Basque separatist terrorist
1983 Semiautonomous regional governments are group, announces a ceasefire that lasts a year Cobi, Barcelona
established to appease Basque Country and Catalonia Olympic Mascot
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
1982 Landslide electoral 1986 Spain joins EC 1994/5
1977 First free elections victory brings Socialist (now EU) and NATO Corruption 2000 Spain cele brates
return centrist overnment Workers’ Party (PSOE), scandals 1996 In the general 25 years of democracy
under Adolfo Suárez. under Felipe González, 1992 Spain celebrates rock the election on 3 March, and reign of Juan Carlos I
Political parties, including to power. Football World quincentenary of longserving González loses to a
Communists, are legalized Cup held in Spain Columbus’s voyage to America government coalition led by Aznar
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