University Students Representation

from Monopoly to Conflict

Abstract

Within the youth movements during the first part of the 20th century the role of the Spanish University Union is analyzed. Born as the first union of Falange Española, it presents, in its initial stage, similarities with the socializing efforts of totalitarian regimes who supported the military uprising. El Nuevo Estado immediately conferred the falangista organization the condition of unique and obligatory union. Thus it remained until its disappearance in 1965.This servitude to the dictatorship and the lack of association liberty, promoted among the university students a distancing from the official union and the opening of new ways, as well as a confrontation with the regime which were unable to stop the repressive measures of the government.