@Reagaknight,
General Francisco Franco, also known as 'Caudillo' or 'General?simo', was the leader and later formal head of state of Spain from October 1936, and of all of Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975.
Franco led a successful military career and reached the rank of General. He fought in Morocco and suppressed a strike in 1934. In February, 1936, the left-wing Popular Front won the general election and formed a government. Widespread chaos followed the election, with escalating violence between left and right wing supporters. Anti-clerical violence against the Church by left wing militants further raised tensions. After the assassination of a major opposition figure, Jos? Calvo Sotelo by a commando unit of the government's Assault Guards in July 1936, Franco participated in a coup d'etat against the legitimately elected Popular Front government. The coup failed and evolved into the Spanish Civil War during which he emerged as the leader of the right-wing Nationalists against the left-wing government.
After winning the civil war, he dissolved the Spanish Parliament, establishing an extreme-right regime that lasted until 1978, when a new constitution was drafted. During the Second World War, Franco maintained a policy of neutrality, although he did assist Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on a small scale, most famously by sending troops (known as the Blue Division) to aid Nazi Germany in the occupation of Russia. Before the start of the Great War, Franco and Hitler met in Hendaye the 23rd of October 1940. In addition, during the Cold War, the United States established a diplomatic alliance with Franco, due to his strong anti-communist policy. American President Richard Nixon toasted Franco, and, after Franco's death, stated: "General Franco was a loyal friend and ally of the United States."
Source: Wikipedia