Introduction
History happens in two places, two times and two dimensions. This is the key premise of Albiac’s essay “En Dos Tiempos”. It is explained that regardless of the event, there are witnesses of the times and those who read about it in books and newspapers. The entire history is a matter of perception, and sometimes it becomes far from science and becomes close to political journalism, as the author of the political notes, textbook, or an article inevitably inserts his or her own perception and point of view in any writing. Witnesses of historical events cannot be objective either, as it is impossible to cover all the aspects and factors of any event. However, both, personal perception of witnesses, as well as scientific searches of historians form the political reading; considering the importance of the differences in such a perception, it should be emphasized that Gabriel Albiac aims to give a full-fledged 3-D image of a historical event, though, the political aspect of his narration sometimes overwhelms any explorative and historical thinking.
In Two Times
The essay is full of political premises, as well as historical moments explained from a personal perspective. Hence, the 18th of July appointment of the prince is regarded as the turning point of Spanish history. On the one hand, it is regarded as the part of the history for ordinary people, as the author describes a single day in the history how it could be perceived by a contemporary, and how it is perceived by someone who studies history by textbooks or notes in newspapers. In general, the actual importance of regarding any historical event from at least two positions is featured with fuller coverage of the events and circumstances of any historical occasion. It reminds watching scenery with two eyes when 3D perception is available.
Political reading in “En Dos Tiempos” is overwhelmed by the narrative style of the essay, nevertheless, the moods and considerations of people are felt and realized clearly. In general, the appointment of Juan Carlos as the prince of Spain was regarded as another stage in the history of Spain, however, the frontier districts did not expect anything extraordinary from this appointment. People went on living their own life: some of them hoped for the best, the others aimed to improve their life by themselves. Albiac does not explain in detail the political aspect of the events, however, he tries to emphasize the great difference between the two times. The first, when the events are happening about the ears of ordinary people, and when the events are perceived through the prism of time passed, when some details are forgotten, and the others become distorted by dishonest historians. Hence, regardless of the political background of any event, history is vulnerable in front of those who write history and especially in front of those who make it. Actually, this could be regarded as the key premise of Albiac’s essay.
Historical Analysis
The considerations offered by Albiac in his essay can not be assessed from the perspective of contemporary events only. The historical value of the described events is rather important, as these are of high importance not only for Biarritz dwellers but for entire Spain. Considering the fact that Juan Carlos is selected as the most influential person in the entire Spanish-speaking world, and the importance of this personality in history can not be underestimated, it should be emphasized that the actual role of those events needs to be described fuller. Hence, Preston (89) states the following:
The constitution established Spain as a Parliamentary Monarchy, with the king as ‘head of state and supreme commander in chief of the armed forces’ and a symbol of the unity and permanence of the state. It also established the legislature of the country, the Cortes Generales, which consists of two separate chambers – the Congress of Deputies and the Senate – both of which serve concurrent terms, lasting for a maximum of four years. In addition, the country is divided into 17 autonomous communities, comunidad autónoma, with their own regional governments that have control of a range of different areas.
The described events became an important step for reviving the Spanish community, and the adoption of Spain by the world community. Actually, this may be regarded as the most successful and the most rapid transition from monarchy to democracy in the world. Furthermore, he had defined the position of Basque Country and Catalonia, which originated essential criticism of Carlos’ regime. Actually, the witness from the second part of the essay will perceive the events of 1969 from this position, as anyone knows further events and their significance for Humanity. However, people from the authors’ dream do not know that they will be living in a constitutional democratic state and that their country will be among leaders in the tempos of economic development. They have an opportunity to judge politics in different parts of the world (Leninism, Imperialism, Maoism, etc), however, they can not imagine what does it mean to live without Franco and his authoritarian regime.
Six years separate the witnesses of that radio transmission about Juan Carlos’s appointment as Franco’s successor in 1969 and coming into force of this decision in 1975. People did not realize the success of this decision, and they could not imagine the consequences of this decision. The political discussions will take place in a few years, and now, the people of Biarritz have the particular concerns of survival, searching for a better life in France, accepting refugees from Spain, etc. They do not know that another option exists, as the political background of the world seems eternal. People think that the world will be eternally divided into two confronting camps, and Spain will be eternally ruled by authoritarians, while Spanish people will be looking for a better life abroad in Spain. The political of the witness who had just awakened from his dream is quite different. He knows that Franco died several decades ago, and Juan Carlos is considered one of the most progressive monarchs in the world. He realizes that the Brits are not able to imagine Queen Elizabeth II on a bicycle, while Juan Carlos is a radio ham, and he participated in the Olympics defending the honour of Spain in sailing. Hence, the historical importance of those far events may be explained not only from the political perspective, however, but the value of non-political events also had essential consequences in the political sphere.
Political Analysis
Actually, mot considered that Juan Carlos’ reigning will not belong, and the monarchy will be destroyed with Franco’s inheritance. However, the king appeared to be persistent by performing democratic reforms: he legalized political parties and dissolved the ruling party Spanish Falange. The new constitution of 1978 claimed that Juan Carlos is proclaimed the successor of the historical monarchy, and civil rights were granted. Provinces gained larger independence, which gave Spain the features of a federation. On the one hand, this made leftist parties become more loyal to the king, however, it could not solve the problem of nationalism and separatism. (Bernecker, 82) How could the lodgers who slept on the sacks know that colossal changes are coming? Actually, they could not. They were worried only about the matters of finding a roof, food, and means to cross the border. 6 years is nothing for history, however, it is essential for human life. Hence, the political analysis of the event may be valuable only from the perspective of Tiempo 2, while dwellers of Tiempo 1 do not imagine the entire value of the news which they heard. On the other hand, the dwellers of Tiempo 2 cannot imagine the sorrows and problems of those who lived in Biarritz, and those who aimed to cross the border. Few realize the realities of the 60s; however, considering the political background of these events, witnesses from Tiempo 2 are in a more advantageous position, as they are able to assess the consequences of any event, while witnesses from Tiempo 1 are not able to see the future.
It is unknown, whether some of the ordinary people could think over the political consequences of Juan Carlos’ appointment, however, it is clearly known that no one could imagine the positive consequences of this decision. Only one person was assured in the success of Carlos’ selection as a successor, and the only person realized the political value of democratic reforms. Hence, analyzing Gabriel Albiac’s narrative structure, it should be emphasized that the key aspect of the essay is closely associated with the social structure of the country, the factors that kept it the same for several decades, and factors that became helpful for changing the disadvantages of this structure. The political aspect of the essay is based only on the opportunities of people to find a better life, the requirements to have assuredness in their future, and the absence of fear that “violators will be shot, and survivors will be shot again”.
Getting back to the preceding events, the political background of Franco’s regime should be analyzed. In general, the Spanish really had what to worry about, and what to be afraid of. Actually, everyone was afraid of further tightening of the regime. National policy was too nationalistic, and numerous traditions were doomed for disappearing. While cultural diversity was not in the first place, Franco decided to eliminate the cultural inheritance of the peoples of Spain by moving the accents of social needs and requirements. The language politics suppressed Catalan, Galician, and Basque languages, while the only language permitted was classical Castilian Spanish. Actually, these aspects are not pointed in the essay directly, however, the fact that the scenery is located near Pais Vasco indirectly points out the national politics of Franco and emphasizes the sorrows of national minorities.
An additional political problem of Tiempo 1, is the role of women in society. Women were prohibited to become judges, testifying in courts, be professors in universities. The economic independence of women was restricted essentially, and it should be emphasized that no one could change the situation until Franco was dead. This is the key signification that people needed progressive changes, and they could rely only on themselves.
Applying the butterfly theory to politics, it may be claimed that the described radio message was the first flap. Surely, it could not move the masses; however, the first premise for changes was made. Actually, it stayed unmentioned, however, the butterfly grew, and the power of its flaps grew constantly. It was protected from predators, and the butterfly had an opportunity to study all the skills necessary for survival in the world of politics. There is no necessity to point out the name of this butterfly, as it managed to change the society and restore everything, or almost everything that Franco had been wishing to destroy for several decades.
Conclusion
The narrative structure of the essay leaves numerous details unrevealed and indirect, however, a person who knows history will be able to find not only political aspects, but social, economic, and national factors as well. This is explained by the fact that the author offers to compare the same event from various perspectives. Tiempo 1 is the day of the event when no one could even imagine possible further events. Tiempo 2 is the time of our contemporaries: we have an opportunity to assess any event through the prism of its historical background and the consequences. Moreover, we have an opportunity to cover the entire picture, however, witnesses from Tiempo 2 will never realize the sorrows or joys of the people from Tiempo 1.
Works Cited
WL Bernecker Monarchy and Democracy the Political Role of King Juan Carlos in the Spanish Transicion” Journal of Contemporary History. Vol.33, No. 1. 2003 65-84.
P Preston Juan Carlos: steering Spain from dictatorship to democracy. W. W. Norton & Company Publishing. Oxford. 2004.