Francisco Franco was a Spanish military general and dictator who ruled Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. He came to power after leading a successful coup during the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from 1936 to 1939. Franco's regime was characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and repression of political dissent. Franco's government implemented policies that favored traditional values and the Catholic Church, while suppressing regional identities and languages, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. After his death, Spain transitioned to a democratic government, leading to significant political and social changes in the country.