The Franco regime refers to the authoritarian government led by General Francisco Franco in Spain from 1939 to 1975. It emerged after the Spanish Civil War, where Franco's Nationalist forces defeated the Republican side. The regime was characterized by political repression, censorship, and the suppression of regional identities, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. During Franco's rule, Spain experienced significant economic changes, including industrialization and modernization, especially in the 1960s. However, the regime's oppressive policies led to widespread human rights violations and a lack of political freedoms. Franco's death in 1975 marked the beginning of Spain's transition to democracy.