FRANCISCO FRANCO

Born on the fourth of December in 1892, Francisco Franco was born in the small town of El Ferrol, which was located towards northwestern Spain. As a child Franco didn't do the best in school, but he showed diligence in his work. At the age of just 12 Franco joined Naval Preparatory School.


Due to the effects of the Spanish-American War, Spain had hard times and lost most of their Navy, so Franco's naval training got cut short. Franco went into training for the Army instead. After graduating from infantry school Franco volunteered for active duty.


Franco had a very successful military career and in 1928 became the director of the General Military Academy in Saragossa. This was ended by the rise of the new Spanish Republic however. The new military changes changed Franco's life. The General Military Academy dissolved and Franco actually was placed on the inactive list until conservatives took control of the Spanish Republic and Franco was given the rank of major general and sent to the Canary Islands to serve as military governor.

All of Spain's political turmoil will eventually lead to the Spanish Civil War, which is described in more detail on the Spanish Civil War page. Shortly after the civil war of Spain, WWII is underway. Spain's involvement in WWII is on the WWII page.


Franco battled with Parkinson's Disease for a while and fell into a comatose state. His family took him off life support eventually and Franco passed away on November 20th of 1975.

Franco during his younger years, in the military

Francisco Franco during his later years or ruling

Franco (on the right) in 1975 with Carlos Navarro