Facist Leaders Hitler & Franco Adolph Hitler and General Francisco Franco were

Adolph Hitler and General Francisco Franco were very much alike, according to author Gabrielle Ashford Hodges, in that their "access to unprecedented military, civil, and legal power enables them to impose the tyranny of play-ground politics upon entire nations" (52). The relationship between Hitler and Franco appears to have been largely based on a mutual desire for political power, financial prosperity, and the acquisition of strategically placed lands. Often nations who are torn as to which side to support in times of war will side with the enemies of their enemies (Tyree A17). Hitler helped Franco and his right-wing forces defeat Spain's Popular Front army to win the Spanish civil war in April 1939, and Franco unofficially helped Nazi Germany during World War II (Bowen). Hitler had created in this Spanish leader one of his greatest admirers (Hodges 51).

Contradictory images are painted of General Franco who seemed to have a profoundly elusive and contradictory personality. He is described at times as very mediocre and at other times as startlingly skillful; sometimes as single-minded and determined and sometimes as ambivalent. He is praised for his powers of political manipulation and ruthlessness, and he is attacked for his hesitancy, caution and naivete. Despite his short, skinny build, squeaky voice, and feminine mannerisms, he ascended the military hierarchy like a rocket (Hodges 51). Hitler likely found this ability to play of variety of roles with

guns were supposedly on rail cars and ready to roll through Spain (Crossland). Both Hitler and Franco recognized the tremendous importance of controlling the strategically located Gibraltar. Ultimately, the plans were put on hold until after the invasion of Russia, and foundered because Hitler would not agree to Franco's demand for control over French Morocco and his share of the spoils from France's defeat at German hands in June of 1940 (Crossland). Adolph Hitler met with General Franco in 1940 at Hendaye, France, near the Spanish border. Hitler encouraged Franco to officially enter the war on Germany's side; Franco remained non-committal (Tyree A17). Much like Franco, to Hitler, victory, not peace was the ultimate goal (Ferrol). Franco pointed out that Spain lacked the guns, ships and airplanes to protect its coasts and cities, and needed foodstuffs. He did not feel that his "indebtedness" to Hitler mandated he take an official position in the war, falling back on the fact that the Germans supported him in the Spanish civil war for their own reasons, not wanting a "Bolshevik" power in Spain (Tyree A17). Additionally, Churchill warned that if Spain ended her neutrality, the Royal Navy would lay siege to the Cana

Category: History - F