Kössler, Till Franco

Der ewige Faschist

The Spaniard Francisco Franco ranks among the defining dictators of the 20th century. Unlike his allies Hitler and Mussolini, he managed to cling to power beyond the Second World War, remaining in office until 1975. The historical classification of the man himselfand of his nearly forty-year ruleremains a subject of controversy in European contemporary history to this day. This comprehensive account of Francos life offers insights into Spains turbulent 20th-century history while simultaneously providing points of reference for a better understanding of authoritarian rule in the present day. After 1945, many viewed Franco as an inveterate fascist who no longer fit into the new democratic Europe. And yet, he successfully positioned himself as a partner to the Western world and enjoyed considerable popularity among the Spanish population right up until his death in 1975. He cultivated an image as an efficient modernizer and sought counsel from Western experts; however, his rule was also predicated on the mass persecution of dissidents and was characterized by extreme social disparities, widespread corruption, and economic scarcity. Drawing upon the latest research, Till Kössler undertakes a historical re-evaluation of Franco in this biography. In a vivid narrative grounded in primary sources, he traces Francos career: from his beginnings as a young colonial officer in Morocco, through his rise to become a ruthless fascist autocrat during the Spanish Civil War and an ally of the Axis powers during the Second World War, to the transformative era of the 1960s and 70s.