Popular Liberation Front (Spain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Popular Liberation Front
Frente de Liberación Popular
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|---|---|
| Founder | Julio Cerón |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Dissolved | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Madrid |
| Ideology | Democratic socialism Antifascism New Left Antiimperialism Self-management socialism |
| Political position | Left |
| National affiliation | Linked to the Workers' Front of Catalonia and to Euskadiko Sozialisten Batasuna. |
The Popular Liberation Front (in Spanish: Spanish: Frente de Liberación Popular), often called FLP or FELIPE, was a secret group in Spain. It existed from 1958 to 1969. This group was against the government of Francisco Franco, who ruled Spain at that time.
The FLP was started by Julio Cerón. Some well-known people who joined the group included José Luis Leal, Pasqual Maragall, José Pedro Pérez Llorca, and Miguel Roca. The FLP was formed because it was hard for other left-wing groups to gain support in Spain.
The FLP was inspired by new ideas from left-wing parties in countries like France and Italy. It also took ideas from the New Left movement and groups focused on helping developing countries. In the region of Catalonia, a similar group was the Workers Front of Catalonia. In the Basque Country, it was Euskadiko Sozialisten Batasuna.
What Was the Popular Liberation Front?
The Popular Liberation Front was a political group that worked underground. This means they operated in secret because the government of Francisco Franco did not allow them. Their main goal was to oppose Franco's rule.
They believed in a type of government called democratic socialism. This means they wanted a society where people had more control and where everyone was treated fairly. They also stood against fascism, which is a very strict and controlling type of government.
Early Years and Challenges
The FLP started in 1958. At this time, it was very difficult to be part of any group that disagreed with Franco's government. The FLP wanted to offer new ideas for Spain's future.
In 1962, the police started to crack down on the FLP. This means they began to arrest members of the group. About 100 FLP members were arrested during this time. This made it even harder for the group to operate.
Protests and the End of FLP
In 1969, a sad event happened that led to big protests. A student and FLP member named Enrique Ruano Casanova died while he was being held by the political police. This event caused many students to protest and go on strike at universities across Spain.
Because of these widespread protests, Franco's government declared a "State of Exception" on January 24, 1969. This meant that certain rights were temporarily suspended to control the situation. The FLP eventually dissolved in 1969.
