Francisco Franco: The Creation of a Dictator

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In the year 1939 the formidable General Francisco Franco rose to power during a time of government and economic struggle in Spain. He contained an ability that he began to develop and strengthen, allowing him to easily and efficiently take control of a situation, all while growing into a natural, very influential leader. His striking tactics of manipulation and articulate speech were cultivated from a young age, transformed into what would become mechanisms of terror. Due to a life that was submerged into the military and the path taken because of his specific division of the army, Franco developed these characteristics of a dictator, using them to accomplish a complete takeover of Spain’s civilization by whatever means necessary; the country was then plunged into a whirlwind of political, economic, and social struggles but also improvements that would continue to alternate until his death.
Franco’s early life greatly influenced his career as a dictator because of his family who had generations of military officers and his being forced to depend solely on himself during his time in the service. No person is born prepared to take on the world and become a powerful leader; they grow and gain experience, most often due to a catalyst that throws their life out of order. Franco was exposed to this very situation in which the plans for his future that had been as good as etched into stone were warped in a way that forced him to recreate a life of his own. “Like four generations and his elder brother before him, Franco was originally destined for a career as a naval officer, but reduction of admissions to the Naval Academy forced him to choose the army” (Payne). Franco was then forced to enter the army instead, so at the age of 14 he e...

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Messenger, A, David.. “Spain during World War II.” Canadian Journal of History 3(2007):530. eLibrary. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
Payne, Stanley G. "Francisco Franco (ruler of Spain)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
“Spanish dictator.” Sunday Mail; Kuala Lumpur. 28 Jul. 2002: 22. eLibrary. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
Photography
Govan, Fiona. "Francisco Franco Stripped of Honorary Title." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 01 Aug. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
"Spain Flag Wallpaper HD." #8790065. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

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