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S1 E1 The Rise to Power

Documentary

9+

53 minutes

30 Dec 2016

At the end of a bloody civil war Francisco Franco seized power and ruled Spain with an iron hand for nearly four decades. Under his leadership the conservative, monarchist armed forces staged a coup against Spain's republican government which had been democratically elected. The insurrection was supported by Italy and Germany. Three years of bitter civil war followed which, by April 1939, had turned Spain into a different country. The hostilities and political purges cost half a million lives.

Season 1, 4 Episodes

Season 1 (4 Episodes)

The Truth about Franco - Spain's forgotten Dictatorship - The Rise to Power

The Rise to Power,

At the end of a bloody civil war Francisco Franco seized power and ruled Spain with an iron hand for nearly four decades. Under his leadership the conservative, monarchist armed forces staged a coup against Spain's republican government which had been democratically elected. The insurrection was supported by Italy and Germany. Three years of bitter civil war followed which, by April 1939, had turned Spain into a different country. The hostilities and political purges cost half a million lives.

The Truth about Franco - Spain's forgotten Dictatorship - The New Regime

The New Regime,

The Franco myth stands for a cruel regime: for the darkest chapter in Spanish history. Franco gave himself the title of Caudillo de España - Supreme Leader of Spain. He created his own rituals of power: the war hero, the family man, and the mass murderer. Franco was a man of many faces. Franco and his family formally moved into the El Pardo Palace, the former summer residence of the king. Was that still the behaviour of a head of state? Or was it already megalomania?

The Truth about Franco - Spain's forgotten Dictatorship - Zero Hour

At the end of the Second World War, the cards in global politics were reshuffled. The Allies now made a clear distinction between the friends and foes of democracy. The situation became critical for Franco, because in Spain many suffered from his reign of terror. For that reason, there were many who wanted to topple him. This episode shows how he managed to prevail in the new power structure in the world.

The Truth about Franco - Spain's forgotten Dictatorship - The Leaden Age

The Leaden Age,

In the mid-fifties, Franco's foreign policy successes opened up new perspectives for Spain. After years of stagnation the country was now moving forwards. Thus, Franco's rule was legitimized. Resistance fell silent. The dictator sat firmly in the saddle. But along with the new friends, new influences also entered the country. Spain changed, confronting the regime with new challenges. How much longer would Franco be able to cling to power? Could Prince Juan Carlos give the dictatorship a future?

Details

The Truth about Franco - Spain's forgotten Dictatorship

Documentary

9+

1 Season

53 minutes

The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco is a unique case from several points of view: for instance, he was in power longer than any other dictator of the 20th century, nearly 40 years. Yet beyond the borders of Spain, there are many gaps. This documentary illustrates the "fascination of evil" that kept Franco firmly in its grip. Franco's continued relevance to this day is a great advantage to historians, who thus have access to a wealth of resources which help them uncover many more dark pages in the biography of this sinister man.

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