Labels:text | human face | man | person | screenshot OCR: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Franco, Francisco Francisco Franco Like history's other "little dictators," Franco was often dismissed - even by his son - as a small man with small ideas. But, like his fellow Fascist leaders in Europe, Adolf Hitler, and Benito Mussolini, he succeeded in grasping the spirit of his times. Ruling Spain for 40 years, Franco saw the transformation of his country from a mostly rural-based to a modern, competitive economy. Franco trained at the Toledo military academy and later forged a distinguished army career in Morocco, gaining rapid promotion and respect. He returned to Spain a brigadier general in 1925, and from 1936 to 1939 led the Nationalists to victory over the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. His triumph was due in part to his promises to restore law and order, and to lead Spanish peasants out of feudalism and away Francisco Franco, from Communist threats. Spanish soldier and dictator, 1892-1975 During Franco's long rule political opponents were dealt with ruthlessly, but LLLL since his death, and the ascension of King Juan Carlos, Spain has become one of the most liberal countries in Europe. CHRONOLOGY
