Abstract

This seminar will explore the United States' foreign policy towards General Franco's military regime in Spain from 1953 to 1975. The discussion will be particularly focused on the cultural and public diplomacy deployed by the American superpower aimed at paving the way for a moderate post-authoritarian transition in the Iberian country. But did the art of soft power succeed in counteracting the damage done to US credibility caused by collaborating with an ally who was too politically compromising?

Short CV

Óscar José Martín García has previously been postdoctoral fellow researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science (2007-2009) and the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research (Madrid, 2009-2012)).   His research has mainly focused on two different lines of investigation: Social Movement Studies and International History. On these topics he has authored three books and published several articles in international peer reviewed journals such as Cold War History, Democratization, Social Movement Studies, and Contemporary British History, among others.

Óscar José Martín García's project at AIAS.

What is a Fellows' Seminar?

The AIAS Fellows' Seminar is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellows or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, one fellow will present and discuss his/her current research and research project, closing off with a question and discussion session.

All seminars are held in English and open to the public. Registration to the seminar is not necessary. Read more about the AIAS Fellows' Seminar here.