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Who was Generalissimo Francisco Franco?

Generalissimo Francisco Franco (1892–1975) was the Fascist leader of Spain from 1939 until 1973. (Fascism is a political philosophy that holds race and nation above the individual.) He gained power during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39), leading a rebel nationalist army against the loyalists. The nationalists consisted of aristocrats (nobles), military leaders, Roman Catholic clergy, and the political group called the Falange Party. The loyalists consisted of liberals, Socialists, and Communists. Capturing Madrid in 1939, Franco became head of the Spanish government. When Franco seized power, he undertook the unification of Spain and worked to make his position strong.

During the Spanish Civil War, Franco had received help from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, who were allies in World War II (1939–45). Nevertheless, Franco kept Spain officially neutral—that...

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