Young Spaniards Face Historical Revisionism Amid Social Media Surge

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A troubling trend of historical revisionism surrounding Francisco Franco's dictatorship is gaining traction among young Spaniards, primarily fuelled by social media platforms like TikTok, according to historians and recent studies. Videos glorifying Francoism and questioning the narrative of the Civil War are resonating with a new generation, with 20% of individuals under 35 citing social media as their primary news source, as highlighted by a study from the Reuters Institute.

The far-right political party Vox has been quick to capitalize on this sentiment, with member Manuel Mariscal asserting on November 26, 2024, that many youths are now viewing the post-war era not as dark, but as a time of national unity and progress. This alarming trend correlates with findings from a 2022 survey which revealed significant knowledge gaps among Spanish youth regarding Francoist repression and the Civil War.

Educational initiatives such as the Schools with Memory project aim to combat this ignorance through activities that highlight the injustices of the dictatorship. Nevertheless, historical narratives face stiff competition from the emotive and often distorted rhetoric found online, posing a challenge to accurate remembrance of Spain's complex past.

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