Francisco Franco emerged victorious from the Spanish Civil War and restored the monarchy to his country. He ruled Spain for decades, often with an iron fist. Franco was a fascist ruler, but also a clever politician, which is why he was able to stay in power for so long.
Military Career
On December 4, 1892, Francisco Franco was born in El Ferrol, Spain. He attended the Toledo Military Academy, where he graduated at the age of 18. He was then stationed in Morocco. Although small in stature, he was a brave soldier and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1917 he was a major. Franco played an important role in breaking a strike in Asturias. In 1920 he was appointed second in command of the Spanish Foreign Legion (Tercio de Extranjeros) by Lieutenant Colonel Milan Astray. This legion quickly became known for its brutality and in 1923 Franco became its leader. He had a reputation as a brilliant strategist and administrator. That same year he married Carmen Polo, a woman from a wealthy family. King Alfonso Xlll saw Franco’s influence and sent a delegate to the wedding. In 1926, Franco became Europe’s youngest general and two years later became commander of the military academy in Saragossa.
Democracy
Franco supported the military dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera, but he was forced to resign in 1930. King Alfonso organized democratic elections and this led to the Spanish people choosing a republic. Alfonso was advised to leave the country, which he did on April 14, 1931. In June 1931, elections were overwhelmingly won by left-wing parties, with the Socialist Party (PSOE) as the big winner. The moderate Niceto Alcala Zamora became president of the Republic of Spain, but his cabinet also included more radical people. On October 16 of the same year, Zamora was replaced by one of them: Manuel Azana. Azana tried to implement agrarian reforms and give more autonomy to various regions.
Head of the Armed Forces
Franco watched everything that happened with horror. He was a monarchist and right-winger and was distrusted by the new authorities. Franco was demoted to a position in the province. However, in 1933 the tide turned with the arrival of a conservative government and a year later Franco was asked to break another strike in Asturias. This made him a national celebrity, loved by those on the right but hated by progressives. In May 1935 he became chief of staff of the Spanish armed forces. Here he immediately began to strengthen military institutions and emphasized strict discipline.
Civil War Eve
In February 1936 there were new elections and in the end it was the left-wing parties that won the elections. But Spain’s economy was on the brink of collapse and the country was heading towards anarchy and the new government could not turn the tide. Franco asked for martial law to be declared, but this was refused. Franco was demoted and sent to the Canary Islands. From there he watched with dismay what was happening in Spain. At first he refused to oppose the government, but in July 1936 he joined the rebels.
Spanish Civil War
On July 18, 1936, Franco broadcast his manifesto announcing an all-military uprising. That same day the rebellion began on the mainland. Franco soon took control of the Spanish army and set sail for Madrid , which was still in the hands of the republicans. On October 1, Franco was declared the new head of state of the nationalist regime, but this was premature. The Spanish Civil War would last more than three years. Franco brought together the various right-wing parties into the Falange Espanola Tradicionalista, which would become the leading party. Franco was inspired by Hitler and Germany and Italy also gave him military support. Finally, Madrid also fell to the incoming dictator on April 1, 1939.
Franco as Dictator
Now that Franco was in control of the country, pressure was put on him to restore the monarchy. Franco turned out to be a cruel leader. Probably 200,000 prisoners died under his rule as a result of starvation, executions and slave labor. He persecuted his political opponents, although he moderated his tone somewhat after World War II. Franco was a shrewd politician. He was a fascist, but never gave his unqualified support to Hitler’s Germany, because he was convinced that Germany would ultimately lose the war. Initially he sent a division to fight the Germans, but he withdrew it in October 1943. From then on, Franco gave his support to the Allies.
Foreign Relations
A referendum was held in 1947, which ensured the return of the king, but left final power in the hands of Franco. Juan Carlos, the future king and grandson of Alfonso Xlll, was only ten years old at the time. Franco, as an anti-communist, was popular with the Americans, it was the height of the Cold War and in 1950 Spain was admitted to NATO. In 1953, Franco signed the treaty that allowed the US to establish four army and air bases on Spanish soil, protecting Spain from foreign invasion. That same year, relations with the Vatican were also improved and Franco was recognized by the Vatican. In 1960, Franco announced that he would be succeeded by King Juan Carlos after his death. Franco died on November 20, 1975 and within two years almost all traces of his dictatorship had disappeared.