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Francisco Franco was the [[fascist]] Head of State of Spain from April 1, 1939 – November 20, 1975. He also held the position of Prime Minister of Spain from January 30, 1938 – June 8, 1973.

Francisco Franco was the [[fascist]] Head of State of Spain from April 1, 1939 – November 20, 1975. He also held the position of Prime Minister of Spain from January 30, 1938 – June 8, 1973.

Franco gained power through an attempted military coup d'etat in 1936 that developed quickly into the [[Spanish Civil War]]. Franco's Falangists fought the elected socialist government for three years before finally defeating the socialists outside Madrid on April 1, 1939. With the fall of Madrid, Franco assumed control of Spain.

Franco gained power through an attempted military coup d'etat in 1936 that developed quickly into the [[Spanish Civil War]]. Franco's Falangists fought the elected republican government for three years before finally defeating the Republicans outside Madrid on April 1, 1939. With the fall of Madrid, Franco assumed control of Spain.

Franco ruled Spain as a dictator for many years, under his rule many thousands of political executions took place. Excluding combatants, the death toll under Franco's rule topped 100,000 and maybe approached 200,000  <ref> Beevor, A (2006). ''The Battle for Spain'', Weidenfeld & Nicolson. </ref>

Franco ruled Spain as a dictator for many years, under his rule many thousands of political executions took place. Excluding combatants, the death toll under Franco's rule topped 100,000 and maybe approached 200,000  <ref> Beevor, A (2006). ''The Battle for Spain'', Weidenfeld & Nicolson. </ref>