Francisco_Franco

= = = = ==

Dictator of Spain
Emily K & Stephanie C =media type="custom" key="543681"= = =

Profile of Franco http://nick.frejol.org/democracy-and-after/new-images/franco.l.jpg



Franco in his younger years [|http://www.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/news/~export/015585] ~1~CorporateInternetGUITemplate~CorporateInternetSnippetLayout/33067-1.jpg

Franco and Mussolini For foreign relations and the use of fascism http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/engl/young/e1106ce/Spark/Group1/TashaFascism.html



"Franco Effect" (or how he affected his people) http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/cur/baker_00/03/baker-jd-03-p6/spanishcivilwar.htm

Franco and Hitler Controversial friends http://dearkitty.blogsome.com/2006/12/15/spain-law-against-consequences-of-franco-dictatorship-proposed/

media type="custom" key="553097"

=**Summary of Major Accomplishments**=

**Intro:**
Francisco Franco began life as the middle child in a middle class family, and rose to be the dictator of Spain. His determination, reason, patience, and accomplishments in the military allowed him to rise in power. Franco served as Spain’s dictator for thirty-nine years through global catastrophes like WWII and the Cold War. “His cold heart went with a cool head, great intelligence and formidable reserves of courage and will.” (Johnson, book jacket). (Francisco Franco)

**The Beginning**
Francisco Franco, in 1926, at the mere age of 33, became the youngest brigadier general (the rank between colonel and general) in the Spanish Army. In 1935, Franco was made commander-in-chief of the army, and two years later, he joined with other rightist (conservative) army officers in a revolt against Spain’s leftist (liberal) government. (Francisco Franco)

**Civil War**
This event was the catalyst of the Spanish Civil War (in which Franco received help from Mussolini and Hitler). In the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, Franco was left without transportation for his troops in Morocco. He began negotiations with Benito Mussolini of Italy and Adolph Hitler of Germany. On July 30, 1936, the ships arrived, and Franco traveled with his 20,000 of his troops to the south coast of Spain. Franco’s power was increasing. On September 27 of the same year, Franco relieved nationalist forces at Toledo. Following this battle, Franco was made supreme commander. In October of 1936, Franco declared himself generalissimo and chief of state. Under the title of generalissimo, Franco had supreme authority over all nationalistic activities. “Francisco Franco would rule Spain for almost forty years, crushing it under an iron jackboot of censorship, torture, and death.” (Garza, 19). Though the bombing of Guernica made Franco very unpopular, he was victorious in the Basque region. Finally, after a three-year-long struggle, Madrid was occupied by Franco’s troops. On April 1, 1939, Spain’s republican government was defeated and the Spanish Civil War ended. The motto of Franco’s government was “Long Live Death.” (Francisco Franco)

**Dictatorship and Years at War**
Franco was careful to consider Spain’s economic state in his involvement in WWII. Hitler tried to persuade Franco to join the Axis side of the war on October 23, 1940 so Germany could infiltrate France through Spain. Franco evaded the suggestion and met with Mussolini who told Franco that he had obligations to join the war. After about three years of cooperating with Hitler, Franco rejected Hitler by making a moving speech at Hendaye, stating that he would no longer help Hitler, and that Spain would not be involved with World War II. Franco was confident that the Allied powers would win the war, so he worked on relations between Spain and the United States of America. In 1947, Franco declared himself the regent of Spain, a monarchy. In 1953, Spain became the US’s ally, and Spain received millions in economic aid. In 1942, Franco ordered the construction of a large mausoleum known as the Valley of the Fallen. (Francisco Franco)

**Conclusion**
During his lifetime, Franco managed to rise drastically in power. He became the ruler of his home country and negotiated with some of the most prestigious leaders in history. He considered the condition of his people in his foreign affairs and led Spain through two of the world’s major wars. He said, “We shall preserve what is just: fraternity, liberty and equality. Long live Spain. Long live the Spanish people in honor.” (Garza 61). Franco played an important role in the history of Spain and Europe. (Francisco Franco)

Information from __Francisco Franco__ by Hedda Garza.


 * Political**
 * Dictator of Spain from Feb 5, 1939-June 9, 1973 (Official title was President of the Government of Spain)
 * Achieved his position through the military
 * February 13, 1939- Law of Political Responsibilities- If those who had fled during the war would return, they faced a trial, then possibly execution
 * Nationalist government emerged from a previously Republican country
 * Fascist
 * Kept Spain out of WWII so he would not lose power and would gain food for his people
 * Made a vague promise to Hitler to join the war at a later time
 * Told allies he would stay neutral if they provided him supplies
 * 1945- announced a general amnesty for political offenders and released a few prisoners
 * 1947- Declared Spain a monarchy and he, its monarch
 * Banned from then allowed to re-enter the United Nations
 * 1953- Spain allied with US and joined the UN in 1955
 * 1960s - diverse political factions emerged
 * Economic**
 * Ruined by Spanish civil war
 * Crop failure in 1941
 * Franco misinterpreted the problem and froze prices at 1936 levels and caused the creation of a huge black market with high prices
 * On the verge of starvation so negotiated with the US and France for food and oil
 * Got American aid, but it took six years
 * Got millions of dollars in aid from the U.S. for allowing American naval bases on Spanish coasts
 * $350 million in credits and aid and another $100 million of agricultural surpluc
 * Attracted foreign investment and developed tourism
 * 1959 - Spain became an associate member of the European Economic Cooperation where they received assistance from the International Monetary Fun
 * The Desarrollo (Spanish Miracle) from 1959-1973 was a time of extreme economic growth
 * 1973 - oil crisis destroyed economic boom
 * Social**
 * Mass executions from 1936-1944 killed 400,000
 * "Long Live Death" was his motto during the Spanish Civil War
 * 140,000 political prisoners
 * Using the US aid, Franco offered tax concessions, cheap labor, and high profits.
 * Middle class developed
 * Some poor were able to migrade and take on menial jobs other European states
 * "Fearful peace"
 * 1962 - number of worker protests, including one by the Asturias miners
 * 1969 - censored press and two month state of emergency
 * 1962 - number of worker protests, including one by the Asturias miners
 * 1969 - censored press and two month state of emergency

Works Cited

Francisco Franco.” __ABC-CLIO: World History__. 2008. 28 Feb. 2008 .

“Francisco Franco.” __Britannica Encyclopedia__. __Britannica.com__. 2007. 27 Feb. 2008 <[|http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9035146/Francisco-Franco>.]

“Francisco Franco.” __Dictionary of Spanish Biography__. 1998. __Biography Resource Center__. Gale. School Lib., King of Prussia, PA. 29 Feb. 2008 <[|http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/?db=BioRC>.]

“Francisco Franco Bahamonde.” __Encyclopedia of World Biography__. 2nd ed. 17 vols. __Biography Resource Center__. Gale. School Lib., King of Prussia, PA. 29 Feb. 2008 <[|http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/?db=BioRC>.] Garza, Hedda, and Arthur Schlesinger. “Francisco Franco.” __World Leaders Past & Present__. Ed. John W Selfridge. New York: Chelsea, 1987.