He rose to power as the leading commander of the Nationalist faction, which overthrew the democratically elected Second Spanish Republic in a devastating civil war (1936-1939) with crucial support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. His regime, known as the Francoist dictatorship, was characterized by intense political repression, the suppression of regional identities and languages, and the systematic persecution of dissenters.
Franco strategically aligned his regime with Catholic identity to garner legitimacy, a move that profoundly benefited religious organizations seen as loyal, most notably Opus Dei. While not an official member, Franco fostered a close alliance with the group, and its founder, Josemaría Escrivá, was a noted supporter of the regime. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Franco appointed several prominent members of Opus Dei as key ministers in his government. This symbiotic relationship provided Franco with a cadre of competent administrators and granted Opus Dei significant political influence and a protected space to expand within Spain.
