Okla-homey
10/1/2007, 05:31 AM
October 1, 1936: Franco heads Spain
http://aycu01.webshots.com/image/28800/2004089313600702419_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004089313600702419)
Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde; b. December 4 1892 – d. November 20 1975, abbreviated Francisco Franco y Bahamonde and commonly known as Generalísimo Francisco Franco, was the Head of State of Spain in parts of the country from 1936 and in its entirety from 1939 until his death in 1975. He presided over the authoritarian government of the Spanish State following victory in the Spanish Civil War. From 1947, he was de facto regent of Spain. During his rule he was known officially as por la gracia de Dios, Caudillo de España y de la Cruzada, or "by the grace of God, the Leader of Spain and of the Crusade."
71 years ago today, during the Spanish Civil War, 44 y/o General Francisco Franco is named head of the rebel Nationalist government in Spain. It would take more than two years for Franco to defeat the Republicans in the civil war and become ruler of all of Spain. He subsequently held supreme power as dictator from 1938 until his death 37 years later in 1975 at age 81.
Francisco Franco was born in El Ferrol, Spain, in 1892. The son of a naval officer, he entered the Infantry Academy at age 14. He demonstrated himself to be a disciplined soldier and talented commander in Spain's colonial campaigns in Morocco.
He rose in rank rapidly and was hailed as a national hero for his defeat of the Moroccan rebels in 1926. Appointed brigadier general, his promising career was temporarily halted when the Spanish monarchy fell in 1931.
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/28627/2002991267357379352_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002991267357379352)
Franco in the 1950's. A happy Fascist dictator at the height of his power.
The liberal leaders of the new Spanish Republic were suspicious of the military, and Franco was placed on the inactive list. Although an avowed monarchist, he accepted his demotion quietly.
In 1933, national elections returned the conservatives to power, and Franco was promoted to major general. In 1934, Franco quelled a revolt by socialists in the mining districts of Asturias.
In 1935, he was appointed army chief of staff. In February 1936, new elections returned a leftist coalition to power, and Franco was sent to an obscure command in the Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa.
http://aycu27.webshots.com/image/27306/2002966797465132731_rs.jpg[/URL]
Il Caudillo in the 1960's. Still a snappy dresser.
Fearing that the liberal government would give way to Marxist revolution, army officers conspired to seize power. After a period of hesitation, Franco agreed to join the military rebellion, which began in Morocco on July 17, 1936, and spread to the Spanish mainland the next day.
http://aycu38.webshots.com/image/28757/2004033741040756902_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004033741040756902)
Republican propaganda poster. Here, "Red" Republicans are depicted as fighting off the fascist Nationalist rebels.
With Nationalist army forces from Morocco, Franco rapidly overran much of the Republican-controlled areas in Spain and marched on Madrid. Believing victory was imminent, Franco was made leader of the new Nationalist regime on October 1, 1936.
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/26739/2004087132350022346_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004087132350022346)
The situation in 1937. Franco on the move.
In fact, the bloody Spanish Civil War stretched on until the end of March 1939. In the conflict, Franco's Nationalists received heavy support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while the Socialist leaning Republicans were aided by the USSR and international volunteers, including a number of Americans.
http://aycu38.webshots.com/image/28757/2004073664487081363_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004073664487081363)
German He-51 fighter in Nationalist markings. The Spanish Civil War became a lab of sorts for Hitler's Luftwaffe. Luftwaffe aircrews got combat experience leading up to WWII by flying German aircraft in Nationalist colors for Franco.
http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/28050/2004008745192922452_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004008745192922452)
Nazi medal awarded to Luftwaffe "volunteers" who flew for Franco in the Spanish Civil War
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/26279/2004036513614279359_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004036513614279359)
Mussolini's Fascist Italy helped out too. Here, Italian Fiat bombers in Nationalist markings
http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/28123/2004086848256915968_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004086848256915968)
A very famous photo from the Spanish Civil War. A Republican soldier at the point of impact of a Nationalist bullet. The picture is notable because in the period before very high speed film, it was unusual to capture the split second a man bought a bullet to the head.
With the surrender of Madrid on March 28, 1939, Franco formally became dictator of all of Spain--El Caudillo, "The Leader" in Spanish. Although he sympathized with the fascist regimes of Germany and Italy, Franco maintained Spanish neutrality during World War II.
After the war, he was ostracized as the "last surviving fascist dictator," but international rehabilitation came with the rise of the Cold War and recognition of his anti-communist views by the United States and other Western nations.
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/29879/2004050765200318156_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004050765200318156)
Franco and President Eisenhower having a tender moment. With the Cold War raging, Ike was happy to get basing rights for USAFE aircraft at various locations around Spain (esp. Torrejon) and a naval base at Rota.
Franco secured massive U.S. economic aid in return for military bases in Spain, and the Spanish economy steadily grew. In the 1950s and '60s, Franco's authoritarian regime gradually became more liberal, and there was little organized opposition to his rule outside the Basque provinces, where separatists engaged in terrorism against the Spanish government.
In 1969, Franco recognized Juan Carlos, the grandson of Spain's last king, as his successor as head of state and heir to the Spanish throne.
http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/27541/2004020444489969489_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004020444489969489)
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia
In November 1975, Franco died after a long illness, and Juan Carlos became leader and king of Spain. Despite having pledged loyalty to Franco's authoritarian regime, King Juan Carlos immediately began a transition to democracy.
http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/28149/2004019137423924239_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004019137423924239)
Faithful Franco supporters pay homage at his tomb.
Postscript:
In case you were wondering where the Crusader part came from in Franco's official moniker (by the grace of God, the Leader of Spain and of the Crusade), here's the dealio. See, the Republicans were leftists. A large number, but not all of them, were Marxist/Leninists. That meant they were, by definition atheistic in their approach to religion generally, and Christianity specifically. Enter "Opus Dei" -- originally begun by a now beatified Spanish priest.
The Church well knew if the Republicans remained in power, the proverbial jig was up in Spain. Therefore, the Church supported Franco and his Nationalist forces, and Opus Dei worked hard behind the scenes to keep Republican-leaning Spaniards in line by making it clear support for the Republicans could lead to excommunication, or worse.
That's why Franco was officially deemed a Crusader. Now, you know, the rest of the story. Apologies to a great Okie, Mr. Paul Harvey, originally of Tulsa.
http://aycu01.webshots.com/image/28800/2004089313600702419_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004089313600702419)
Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco y Bahamonde; b. December 4 1892 – d. November 20 1975, abbreviated Francisco Franco y Bahamonde and commonly known as Generalísimo Francisco Franco, was the Head of State of Spain in parts of the country from 1936 and in its entirety from 1939 until his death in 1975. He presided over the authoritarian government of the Spanish State following victory in the Spanish Civil War. From 1947, he was de facto regent of Spain. During his rule he was known officially as por la gracia de Dios, Caudillo de España y de la Cruzada, or "by the grace of God, the Leader of Spain and of the Crusade."
71 years ago today, during the Spanish Civil War, 44 y/o General Francisco Franco is named head of the rebel Nationalist government in Spain. It would take more than two years for Franco to defeat the Republicans in the civil war and become ruler of all of Spain. He subsequently held supreme power as dictator from 1938 until his death 37 years later in 1975 at age 81.
Francisco Franco was born in El Ferrol, Spain, in 1892. The son of a naval officer, he entered the Infantry Academy at age 14. He demonstrated himself to be a disciplined soldier and talented commander in Spain's colonial campaigns in Morocco.
He rose in rank rapidly and was hailed as a national hero for his defeat of the Moroccan rebels in 1926. Appointed brigadier general, his promising career was temporarily halted when the Spanish monarchy fell in 1931.
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/28627/2002991267357379352_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002991267357379352)
Franco in the 1950's. A happy Fascist dictator at the height of his power.
The liberal leaders of the new Spanish Republic were suspicious of the military, and Franco was placed on the inactive list. Although an avowed monarchist, he accepted his demotion quietly.
In 1933, national elections returned the conservatives to power, and Franco was promoted to major general. In 1934, Franco quelled a revolt by socialists in the mining districts of Asturias.
In 1935, he was appointed army chief of staff. In February 1936, new elections returned a leftist coalition to power, and Franco was sent to an obscure command in the Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa.
http://aycu27.webshots.com/image/27306/2002966797465132731_rs.jpg[/URL]
Il Caudillo in the 1960's. Still a snappy dresser.
Fearing that the liberal government would give way to Marxist revolution, army officers conspired to seize power. After a period of hesitation, Franco agreed to join the military rebellion, which began in Morocco on July 17, 1936, and spread to the Spanish mainland the next day.
http://aycu38.webshots.com/image/28757/2004033741040756902_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004033741040756902)
Republican propaganda poster. Here, "Red" Republicans are depicted as fighting off the fascist Nationalist rebels.
With Nationalist army forces from Morocco, Franco rapidly overran much of the Republican-controlled areas in Spain and marched on Madrid. Believing victory was imminent, Franco was made leader of the new Nationalist regime on October 1, 1936.
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/26739/2004087132350022346_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004087132350022346)
The situation in 1937. Franco on the move.
In fact, the bloody Spanish Civil War stretched on until the end of March 1939. In the conflict, Franco's Nationalists received heavy support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, while the Socialist leaning Republicans were aided by the USSR and international volunteers, including a number of Americans.
http://aycu38.webshots.com/image/28757/2004073664487081363_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004073664487081363)
German He-51 fighter in Nationalist markings. The Spanish Civil War became a lab of sorts for Hitler's Luftwaffe. Luftwaffe aircrews got combat experience leading up to WWII by flying German aircraft in Nationalist colors for Franco.
http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/28050/2004008745192922452_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004008745192922452)
Nazi medal awarded to Luftwaffe "volunteers" who flew for Franco in the Spanish Civil War
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/26279/2004036513614279359_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004036513614279359)
Mussolini's Fascist Italy helped out too. Here, Italian Fiat bombers in Nationalist markings
http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/28123/2004086848256915968_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004086848256915968)
A very famous photo from the Spanish Civil War. A Republican soldier at the point of impact of a Nationalist bullet. The picture is notable because in the period before very high speed film, it was unusual to capture the split second a man bought a bullet to the head.
With the surrender of Madrid on March 28, 1939, Franco formally became dictator of all of Spain--El Caudillo, "The Leader" in Spanish. Although he sympathized with the fascist regimes of Germany and Italy, Franco maintained Spanish neutrality during World War II.
After the war, he was ostracized as the "last surviving fascist dictator," but international rehabilitation came with the rise of the Cold War and recognition of his anti-communist views by the United States and other Western nations.
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/29879/2004050765200318156_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004050765200318156)
Franco and President Eisenhower having a tender moment. With the Cold War raging, Ike was happy to get basing rights for USAFE aircraft at various locations around Spain (esp. Torrejon) and a naval base at Rota.
Franco secured massive U.S. economic aid in return for military bases in Spain, and the Spanish economy steadily grew. In the 1950s and '60s, Franco's authoritarian regime gradually became more liberal, and there was little organized opposition to his rule outside the Basque provinces, where separatists engaged in terrorism against the Spanish government.
In 1969, Franco recognized Juan Carlos, the grandson of Spain's last king, as his successor as head of state and heir to the Spanish throne.
http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/27541/2004020444489969489_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004020444489969489)
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia
In November 1975, Franco died after a long illness, and Juan Carlos became leader and king of Spain. Despite having pledged loyalty to Franco's authoritarian regime, King Juan Carlos immediately began a transition to democracy.
http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/28149/2004019137423924239_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004019137423924239)
Faithful Franco supporters pay homage at his tomb.
Postscript:
In case you were wondering where the Crusader part came from in Franco's official moniker (by the grace of God, the Leader of Spain and of the Crusade), here's the dealio. See, the Republicans were leftists. A large number, but not all of them, were Marxist/Leninists. That meant they were, by definition atheistic in their approach to religion generally, and Christianity specifically. Enter "Opus Dei" -- originally begun by a now beatified Spanish priest.
The Church well knew if the Republicans remained in power, the proverbial jig was up in Spain. Therefore, the Church supported Franco and his Nationalist forces, and Opus Dei worked hard behind the scenes to keep Republican-leaning Spaniards in line by making it clear support for the Republicans could lead to excommunication, or worse.
That's why Franco was officially deemed a Crusader. Now, you know, the rest of the story. Apologies to a great Okie, Mr. Paul Harvey, originally of Tulsa.