The History of Mallorca

20th century
1902: In August of this year the complete destruction of the town walls around Palma began. These works take until the year 1934. 1933: Beside emigrants from Germany, who seeks refuge on the island, the first tourists discover Mallorca. 1936-1939: The spanish civil war. General Francisco Franco leads a popular uprising against Spain's newly elected Republican government on 16 July, which soon spreads around the entire country. Mallorca and Ibiza support Franco's Nationalists, while Menorca backs the Republicans - yet the islands themselves see little actual combat. 1939: The Civil War ends with a Fascist vistory on 1 April. Franco becomes head of state; reprisals against the Republicans are widespread. 1939-1975: Franco establishes a one-party state.	1939-1945: World War II. By keeping Spain neutral during World War II, Franco survives the fall of Hitler and Mussolini. 1950: In the '50th - after the end of World War II - more and more tourist discover Mallorca as a holiday island. 1960: During Franco's dictatorship the hectic masstourism begins in Mallorca. Nice beaches, villages and towns like Arenal, Cala Major or Alcudia are strewn with hotels to accomodate the increasing number of tourists. Mallorca's airport is built in 1960. The tourism begins to replace agriculture and fishing as Mallorcas main source of income. 1975: On Franco's death, Prince Juan Carlos, ascends the throne, and restores parliamentary democracy.

20th century

1902: In August of this year the complete destruction of the town walls around Palma began. These works take until the year 1934.

1933: Beside emigrants from Germany, who seeks refuge on the island, the first tourists discover Mallorca.

1936-1939: The spanish civil war. General Francisco Franco leads a popular uprising against Spain's newly elected Republican government on 16 July, which soon spreads around the entire country. Mallorca and Ibiza support Franco's Nationalists, while Menorca backs the Republicans - yet the islands themselves see little actual combat.

1939: The Civil War ends with a Fascist vistory on 1 April. Franco becomes head of state; reprisals against the Republicans are widespread. 1939-1975: Franco establishes a one-party state.

1939-1945: World War II. By keeping Spain neutral during World War II, Franco survives the fall of Hitler and Mussolini.

1950: In the '50th - after the end of World War II - more and more tourist discover Mallorca as a holiday island.

1960: During Franco's dictatorship the hectic masstourism begins in Mallorca. Nice beaches, villages and towns like Arenal, Cala Major or Alcudia are strewn with hotels to accomodate the increasing number of tourists.
Mallorca's airport is built in 1960. The tourism begins to replace agriculture and fishing as Mallorcas main source of income.

1975: On Franco's death, Prince Juan Carlos, ascends the throne, and restores parliamentary democracy.

1978/79
The first independent elections and the first democratic town council after the Franco time is elected. 1978: Spain receives a new and democratic constitution (Constitución).

1982 - 1988
1982: Spain becomes a member of NATO. 1983: In February the Balearic Islands become an autonomous region (Comunidad Autónoma de las Islas Baleares); the first elections are held shortly afterwards.	1986: Spain joins the European Community. 1988: The 'Consell Insular' announced strong rules, i.e. for the constructions of hotels and houses, protection of nature or waste water...

1989
1989-1999: The mallorcan economy prospers. By the early 1990s the Balearics enjoy the highest per capita income in Spain. There is a continuing Balearic renaissance in literature, the arts and cuisine.	Steps are taken to limit the damage done by mass tourism and to take the industry upmarket.

1990 / 1994
1990: Heavy thunderstorms causes large floodings in Mallorca.	1994: Because of great heat and drought many disastrous forrest fires in Mallorca.
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