The installation of the rebel regime in the colony

The new regime the rebels established in the colony emerged  from the military establishment, formed part of the Burgos government led by Francisco Franco, incorporated the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las J.O.N.S., and was led first by Manuel de Mendivil y Elio, and later by Juan Fontán Lobé.

The regime abolished all the legislation and governmental actions of the Republic, but relied heavily on the previous colonial foundation—maintaining the economic structure based on raw material producers, and the ideology of the missionary orders of the Catholic Church. This placed great emphasis on education of Black children and youth, with a strong focus on the teaching of the Catholic religion through schools controlled by the Claretian order. The goal, as we can see on the cover of the 9 May 1937 issue of La Guinea Española was “the replacement of the natives with new men of spirituality, culture, and social hygiene, the true standard of solidly advanced peoples.” The creation of a labor force of plantation workers was essential. This newspaper published a series of instructional articles aimed at encouraging Europeans to make the colony great again, using more developed, neighboring colonies as models.

As soon as they took power, the launched a propaganda campaign denouncing those they considered their enemies.  La Guinea Española published numerous laudatory articles about Franco and other generals, along with fierce criticism of the Republicans, Freemasonry, and Jews—all elements seen as opposed to the new ideological framework and harmful to the colony.

The new regime showed solidarity with its counterparts in the Peninsula, providing large quantities of cocoa free of charge and organizing collections for the construction of a warship and for orphaned children.

Dates with religious significance or that signified the arrival of the new regime were moments for explanation and commemoration. The ultimate aim was to unite the Spaniards in the colony around a new horizon in which the defeated had no place or memory, except to be criticized or discredited.

FSL