Francisco Franco
On the 4th of December 1892, Francisco Franco was born in the Calle Frutos Saavedra of Ferrol, Galicia. He entered the Infantry Academy in Toledo at age fourteen, standing among boys who were mostly sixteen or eighteen years old. His small stature made him a target for bullies during physical tests, yet his memory allowed him to pass academic exams with ease. By July 1910, he graduated as a second lieutenant, ranking 251st out of 312 cadets in his class. The Spanish Navy had stopped accepting new entrants from 1906 to 1913 after losing its fleet and colonies in the Spanish-American War. This forced young Franco into the Army instead of following his father's naval career path. His father, a vice admiral named Francisco Franco y Pacheco, eventually abandoned the family when Francisco was fourteen. The elder Franco moved to Madrid and remarried another woman. Young Francisco never overcame his antipathy toward his father and largely ignored him for the rest of his life. He identified strongly with his mother, who wore widow's black after her husband left. She taught him moderation, austerity, self-control, and respect for Catholicism. Years later, under the pseudonym Jaime de Andrade, Franco wrote a novel called Raza. Its protagonist represents the idealized man Franco wished his father had been.
In 1913, Franco transferred into the newly formed regulares, which were Moroccan colonial troops led by Spanish officers. These units acted as elite shock troops during the Rif War against native Moroccans. On the 24th of July 1921, the Republic of the Rif crushed a Spanish offensive at Annual. The Legion and supporting units relieved the city of Melilla after a three-day forced march led by Franco. In 1923, now a lieutenant colonel, he became commander of the Legion. On the 22nd of October 1923, Franco married María del Carmen Polo y Martínez-Valdès. Following their honeymoon, he was summoned to Madrid to be presented to King Alfonso XIII. This royal attention marked him during the Republic as a monarchical officer. Disappointed with plans by Prime Minister Miguel Primo de Rivera for strategic retreat from Africa, Colonel Franco wrote in April 1924 that he would disobey orders of retreat given by a superior. He visited General Gonzalo Queipo de Llano on the 21st of September 1924 to propose organizing a coup d'état against Primo. In the end, Franco complied with General Primo's orders, taking part in the retreat of Spanish soldiers from Xaouen in late 1924. This earned him promotion to colonel. He led the first wave of troops ashore at Al Hoceima in 1925. This landing combined with French invasion from the south spelled the beginning of the end for the short-lived Republic of the Rif. On the 3rd of February 1926, Franco was promoted to brigadier general, said to be the youngest general in Europe.
On the 4th of October 1934, striking miners in Asturias began occupying towns and attacking Civil Guard barracks. Thirty-four priests, six young seminarists aged between 18 and 21, and several businessmen were executed in Mieres and Sama. Over 100 priests were killed in the diocese during these events. The Catalan state proclaimed by Lluis Companys lasted just ten hours. Despite attempts at general strikes elsewhere, only the Asturian miners fought alone. Franco, already General of Division and aide to War Minister Diego Hidalgo, commanded operations to suppress the violent insurgency. Troops of the Spanish Army of Africa carried this out under General Eduardo López Ochoa. After two weeks of heavy fighting, an estimated death toll reached between 1,200 and 2,000 people. The rebellion sparked a new era of violent anti-Christian persecutions. Franco described the rebellion as "a frontier war" where fronts were socialism, communism, and whatever attacked civilization. Colonial units sent north included the Spanish Foreign Legion and Moroccan Regulares Indigenas. The right-wing press portrayed rebels as lackeys of a foreign Jewish-Bolshevik conspiracy. Historian Salvador de Madariaga later called the uprising unforgivable but noted that the Spanish left lost moral authority to condemn the 1936 rebellion.
On the 17th of July 1936, one day earlier than planned, the Army of Africa rebelled, detaining their commanders. A privately owned DH 89 De Havilland Dragon Rapide was chartered in England on the 11th of July by pilots Cecil Bebb and Hugh Pollard to take Franco to Africa. He arrived the next day to take command. On the 18th of July, Franco published a manifesto and left for Africa. A week later, rebels controlled a third of Spain. Most naval units remained under Republican control, leaving Franco isolated. The coup failed to bring swift victory, but the Spanish Civil War had begun. Following the pronunciamiento of the 18th of July 1936, Franco assumed leadership of 30,000 soldiers of the Spanish Army of Africa. His first problem was moving troops to the Iberian Peninsula since most Navy units stayed loyal to the Republic. He requested help from Benito Mussolini, who offered arms and planes. Wilhelm Canaris persuaded Hitler to support Nationalists; Hitler sent 20 Ju 52 transport aircraft and six Heinkel biplane fighters. From the 20th of July onward, Franco initiated an air bridge carrying 1,500 soldiers to Seville. Between the 29th of July and the 15th of August, about 15,000 more men were moved. On the 21st of September, with column at Maqueda, Franco ordered detour to free besieged garrison at Alcázar of Toledo. This controversial decision gave Popular Front time to strengthen defenses in Madrid. By early 1939 only Madrid, Barcelona, and Catalan areas remained under government forces. Franco's troops captured Barcelona in January 1939. On the 28th of March 1939, Madrid fell to Nationalists. Victory was proclaimed on the 1st of April 1939 when last Republican forces surrendered.
During the war, rape, torture, and summary executions committed by soldiers under Franco's command served as retaliation against political dissent. Historical analysis estimates executions by the Franco regime during this period reached between 100,000 and 200,000 dead. Stanley G. Payne says total civilian fatalities above normal plus violence deaths would reach approximately 344,000. Searches conducted by Association for Recovery of Historical Memory estimate over 35,000 people killed by Nationalist side remain missing in mass graves. Julián Casanova Ruiz estimated deaths in White Terror around 150,000 total. Paul Preston states that while 130,199 remains most reliable figure of civilian executions in Francoist area during war, it is unlikely less than 150,000 with 50,000 victims in Republican area plus 20,000 executed after war ended. On the 19th of April 1937, Franco merged ideologically distinct Falange and Carlist monarchist parties into one party called FET y de las JONS. This became only legal party in Nationalist zone. Serrano Súñer and followers dominated FET JONS, striving to increase party power. Franco placed Carlist Manuel Fal Condé under house arrest and imprisoned hundreds of old Falangists including leader Manuel Hedilla. He appeased Carlists by exploiting Republicans' anti-clericalism in propaganda concerning Martyrs of the war. As new head of Falange, Franco presented himself as direct successor to founder Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera. Five days later on the 24th of April raised-arm salute of Falange made official salute of Nationalist regime. By 1939 fascist style prevailed with ritual rallying calls of "Franco, Franco, Franco." The next day after victory proclamation, Franco placed sword upon altar of church vowing never take it up again unless Spain threatened with invasion.
In September 1939 World War II began. Franco received important support from Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini during Spanish Civil War and signed Anti-Comintern Pact. He made pro-Axis speeches while offering various kinds of support to Italy and Germany. His spokesman Antonio Tovar commented at Paris conference that "Spain aligned itself definitively on side of...National Socialist Germany and Fascist Italy." However, Franco reluctant to enter war due to Spain recovering from recent civil war instead pursued policy of non-belligerence. On the 23rd of October 1940 Hitler and Franco met in Hendaye France to discuss possibility of Spain entry on Axis side. Franco demands including large supplies food fuel plus Spanish control Gibraltar French North Africa proved too much for Hitler. At time Hitler did not want risk damaging relations with new Vichy French government. Some historians argue Franco made demands he knew Hitler would not accede to stay out war. Others argue Franco as leader destroyed bankrupt country chaos following brutal three-year civil war simply had little offer Axis. When invasion Soviet Union began the 22nd of June 1941 Serrano Suñer immediately suggested formation unit military volunteers join invasion. Volunteer Spanish troops División Azul fought Eastern Front under German command from 1941 to 1944. Some historians argued not all Blue Division true volunteers. Franco expended relatively small but significant resources aid Axis powers battle against Soviet Union.
During start Cold War Franco lifted Spain out mid-20th century economic depression through technocratic economically liberal policies. This presided over period accelerated growth known as "Spanish miracle." At same time regime transitioned from totalitarian state authoritarian one limited pluralism. He became leader anti-communist movement garnering support West particularly United States. As government relaxed hard-line policies Luis Carrero Blanco became Franco éminence grise whose role expanded after Franco began struggling Parkinson disease 1960s. In 1973 Franco resigned prime minister separated office head state since 1967 due advanced age illness. Nevertheless remained power head state commander-in-chief. Franco died 1975 aged 82 entombed Valley Fallen. He restored monarchy final years succeeded King Juan Carlos who led Spanish transition democracy. Legacy Franco Spanish history remains controversial nature rule changed time. Reign marked brutal repression tens thousands killed economic prosperity greatly improved quality life Spain. Style proved adaptable allow social economic reform still centred highly centralised government authoritarianism nationalism national Catholicism anti-freemasonry anti-communism. Contemporaries regarded Franco fascist dictator among scholars long-lasting debate whether adequate define Franco regime fascist described broad definitions traditional military dictatorship fascistised yet not fascist fully fascist regime.
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Common questions
When and where was Francisco Franco born?
Francisco Franco was born on the 4th of December 1892 in the Calle Frutos Saavedra of Ferrol, Galicia. He entered the Infantry Academy in Toledo at age fourteen.
How did Francisco Franco rise to become a general so quickly?
Franco became a brigadier general on the 3rd of February 1926, which is said to be the youngest general in Europe. This rapid promotion followed his leadership during the Rif War and his role in the Spanish Army of Africa.
What happened during the Asturian miners strike of 1934?
On the 4th of October 1934, striking miners in Asturias began occupying towns and attacking Civil Guard barracks. Franco commanded operations to suppress the violent insurgency, resulting in an estimated death toll between 1,200 and 2,000 people.
How did Francisco Franco begin the Spanish Civil War in 1936?
The Army of Africa rebelled on the 17th of July 1936, one day earlier than planned. A privately owned DH 89 De Havilland Dragon Rapide was chartered in England on the 11th of July by pilots Cecil Bebb and Hugh Pollard to take Franco to Africa.
Why did Francisco Franco refuse to enter World War II as an Axis power?
Franco pursued a policy of non-belligerence because Spain was recovering from the recent civil war. He made demands including large supplies of food and fuel plus Spanish control over Gibraltar that proved too much for Hitler to accept.
When did Francisco Franco die and what was his legacy regarding democracy?
Francisco Franco died in 1975 aged 82 and is entombed in the Valley Fallen. He restored the monarchy in his final years, which succeeded King Juan Carlos who led the Spanish transition to democracy.