Francisco Franco, Western Europe's last dictator, died on 20 November 1975, after ruling Spain unchallenged for nearly four decades. His incredible longevity was a nightmare from which Spain, now a democracy, still bears the scars today.
Often underestimated in comparison to his fascist allies, Franco nevertheless ruled longer than any other dictator. And, unlike Hitler or Mussolini, he was eventually accepted by democracies. How did this happen? How did ‘El Caudillo’ manoeuvre to stay in power for 39 years? Starting with the 1936 coup d'état, supported by the Catholic Church, he launched his crusade against the Republic, exterminating tens of thousands of his opponents. For many Spaniards, Franco is a monster. But despite his crimes, many activists continue to honour him...
At a time when religious fundamentalism is making a comeback, Franco's story teaches us about the concept of ‘holy war’ – this time on the Western side. We retrace this history through archives, but also through the voices of those on both sides who lived through this terrible period and can still bear witness to a political violence that has been too quickly forgotten.
