Abstract
The year 1975 represents the key year at modern Spanish history. It determines the border between the Spanish tradition and the Spanish modernity.
The forty years long centralistic Franco regime came to its definite end in this year. After the fall of frankism a complete emancipation process of the country and a democratic transition have been initiated.
The Spanish modernity was represented by a democratic parliamentary monarchy with Juan Carlos I. on its head on one hand and the EU integration process on the other hand. The period between the fall of dictatorship and the entrance into the EU (1975 - 1986) can be defined as an inter period between the Frankist tradition and the European modernity.
At that time a complete transformation of political, economic and social structures of the Spanish society took place. The European integration process culminated on January 1, 1986 when Spain and Portugal entered the EU.
The success of the Spanish democratic transition and the victory of modernity were obvious. The contemporary Spain of the 21st century is very far from the traditional one.
It is a democratic secularized and postmodern country with a huge potential for its further development.