One of the most significant consequences of the recent democratic transition in Spain is the recovery of national symbols for all Spaniards and not only for specific groups. Public opinion on armed forces and national defence has changed somewhat, despite the fact that recent historical experience has not been completely forgotten. The most recent wars with Spanish intervention abroad were campaigns in Cuba, Filipino, and North Africa. Spain remained neutral during both world wars, the Civil War (1936-39) being the only sign of military war during the century. The peace and neutralism of the Franco regime has persisted until today, spurring Spaniards’ fear of joining the NATO treaty as an extreme and unjustified form of integration with Western democracies, which contrasts with attitudes favourable to participation in the European Economic Community. An examination of an indeterminate number of interviews conducted between 1984 and 1985 showed that many Spaniards are not concerned about national defence, abominate the idea of war and reject the presence of NATO troops on their ground; however, Spanish pacifism tends to be moderate and generally not anti-militarist.