I have been intrigued by the two Dictators of the 20 Century in the Iberian Peninsula ….Right Wing Dictator Salazar and even more so Spain’s General Franco. Somehow they steered both their countries from both World Wars but are now important members of Nato
Let's go back a bit. During World War One there was a Pandemic called the Spanish Flu. It killed millions from Europe all the way to India and who know where else. Why was it called Spanish Flu…Germans tried to avoid calling it French or English Flu, However Spain was neutral and so the warring Parties would not be in a fix *WORLD WAR TWO * *During the Second World War, as Hitler put his Brown Shirts, SS troops to Massacre Jews both Franco and Salazar were friendly with the Fascist Hitler and his counter part in Italy Mussolini.* *Franco held a number of positions both in the Army and Navy, Even more intriguing during the Civil War he * commanded Spain's African colonial Army after the death of in early all officers he assumed the leadership of the rebels and was appointed Generalissimo and Head of State n 1936. Thereafter all political parties were amalgamated and Spain became a One Party State. So for 36 years until his death in 1975 Spain was a right wing state Few know that Spain under Dictator Franco had its own forced labour concentration camps and executions of opponents, The White Terror led to the death of between 100,000 and 200,000, Even worse while maintaining neutrality he supported both Axis Italy and Germany. *The Meeting of the Two Dictators Hitler and Franco Meet* On 23 October 1940, Hitler and Franco in Hendays to discuss the possibility of Spain's entering WW II to help Hitler and Benito Mussoloni. Franco had several demands including ownership of Gibraltar, French North Africa plus food, arms fuel. A shocked Hitler not wishing to damage with the French Vichy Government had to extricate itself out of these demands ……yes the Great Hitler retreated and told his friends that would rather have some of his own teeth extracted than to have to personally deal further with Franco.) Of Course I was not there but I believe this story In later years Franco suffered from Parkinson’s, (like present day Putin). He gave up some of his power, even restored the monarchy and the Economic Miracle of Spain had started ….they could even afford to waste tons and tons of Fresh Tomatoes while escaping from irate bulls I have been intrigued by the two Dictators of the 20 Century in the Iberian Peninsula …. Lets go back a bit. During World War One there was Pandemic called the Spanish Flu. It killed millions from Europe all the way to India and who know where else. Why was it called Spanish Flu…Germans tried to avoid calling it French or English Flu, However Spain was neutral and so the warring Parties would not be in a fix *WORLD WAR TWO * *During the Second World War, as Hitler put his Brown Shirts, SS troops to Massacre Jews both Franco and Salazar were friendly with the Fascist Hitler and his counter part in Italy Mussolini.* *Franco held a number of Military and positions in the Navy, Even more intriguing during the Civial War he * commanded Spain's African colonial Army after the death of inearly all officers he assumed the leadership of the rebels and was appointed Generalissimo and Head of State n 1936. Thereafter all political parties were amalgamated and Spain became a One Party State. So for 36 years until his death in 1975 Spain was a right wing state Few know that Spain under Dictator Franco had its own forced labour concentration camps and executions of opponents, The White Terror led to the death of between between 100,000 and 200,000, Even worse while maintaining neutrality he supported both Axis Italy and Germany. *There is a lot written about **Antisemitism** t * Franco had several demands He wanted Gibraltar, French North Africa plus food, arms fuel. A shocked Hitler not wishing to damage with the French Vichy Government had to extricate itself out of these demands ……yes the Great Hitler retreated and told his friends that would rather have some of his own teeth extracted than to have to personally deal further with Franco.) Of course I was not there but I believe this story The story of Franco and Anti-Semitism is full of contradiction ….Jews remember the Inquisition, they remember that they were in Parts of Spain even before Christ etc They remember that they were better treated by Moors and even the royalty. I know little about Francisco Franco Bahamonde, yet I was working in Switzerland at the height of his reign……Could a visit have helped….After all I visited East Germany, Poland during the height of the Cold War ...and came back intact a real Tanzanian Catholic Goan .....believing in the rights of other people to worship, marry etc etc My Second Part will deal with Salazar Grandolfo In Makongo Juu
