Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco (1892-1975), Spanish dictator. He entered the army at the age of 14, served in Morocco, and became chief of staff in 1935. From Morocco he organized the military uprising that led to the Spanish Civil War; he later took over the leadership of the rebel forces on the death of the original leader, General Sanjurjo. Within three years the Republican forces were crushed and Franco became head of state (1939). He ruled as a dictator, becoming gradually more liberal as Spain’s prosperity grew in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He arranged for Prince Juan Carlos (1938- ), the royal heir to the throne, to become king of Spain after his death.
