Role of Franco (Civil War)

• Franco was able to unite the different groups within the Nationalist movement, including the Falangists, Carlists and Monarchists, appealing to them all. For example, he merged the Carlists and Falange intro FET y de las JONS, which was confirmed by the Decree of Unification, 19th April 1937. This also made it the only legal party in Nationalist Spain.
• Franco also masterminded tactics, as seen with his tactics of attrition and prolonging the war. This didn't only exhaust the Republican forces, but it exposed the weaknesses of the Republican army in the north, showing their supply routes to be insecure.
• The role of Franco:

  • maintained morale
  • gained support of the Catholic Church
  • achieved political unity
  • effective leadership - while being politically astute
  • utilising foreign support
  • exploiting military successes
  • exploiting military discipline
  • recognising/exploiting weaknesses of the Republican government/forces
  • effective use of terror, censorship and propaganda to maintain control