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Franco, Francisco (1892-1975): |
| Francisco Franco was a leader and general in Spain from the 1930's through 1975. He began his military career in the army in 1910, and by 1935 he was the army chief of staff for Spain. After he was exiled to a command in the Canary Islands, Franco joined in on a revolt against the republic. Soon he became the leader of his regime, and after three years of brutal civil war, took control of Spain in 1939. He was a fascist leader, and was supported by Hitler during the civil war, while the USSR supported the republic, which had Communist leanings. When Franco won the war, Hitler hoped that his support would be returned by Franco. However, realizing that the country was already war torn, Franco kept Spain out of World War II, foiling Hitler's plans for Operation Felix, an operation that would have had Spain cut off the straits of Gibraltar to Allied vessels, and secure the Mediterranean for the Axis. After the war, he was still considered to be a Fascist, and was shunned by the victorious Allies. However, he was eventually allowed to join the United Nations, and did not cause any problems in Europe. As the Cold War became more intense, apprehension toward Spain lessened, and Spain reentered European society. Franco remained in power until 1975 when he died, named Prince Juan Carlos, grandson of the king that Franco had expelled, as his successor. |
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