The 1940s and 1950s were a dark period in Spanish history, where the country was still recovering from the effects of the Spanish Civil War, where the economy was poor and people suffered a huge number of deprivations as a result of the loss of life and the repressive nature of the regime which sought to vanquish any and all remaining Republican support by going after anyone who had been affiliated with or expressed any sympathies towards the Second Republic.
Until the mid-1950s, Spain was crippled by an economic crisis coupled with a government imposed repressive society and culture that demanded uniformity and compliance. Starting in the 1950s, Spain started adopting a more consumerist economy. This would continue on into the 1960s.
These wonderful photos from SBA73 were taken by his father that show life of Spain in the 1950s and early 1960s.
The beautiful Basque village of Pasai Donibane, 1956
A public phone house, Santillana del Mar, in northern Spain, 1956
Before mass tourism, Santillana del Mar, in northern Spain, 1956
Cantabria rural, 1956
Carts instead of mass tourism, Santillana del Mar, in northern Spain, 1956
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