Franco had risen rapidly in Army ranks due to his exploits in Morocco throughout the 1920s. By the early 1930s, he was THE most popular military figure to the Spanish people. Fellow military officers and friends in government convinced him to dabble in politics and he quickly developed a hatred of leftist movements that were rising in Spain. His conservatism, strong Catholic faith, and love of country caused him to grow suspicious of Soviet backed communist influence. These needed to be ended, but Franco did not seriously see himself, at first, as the chief man for that job.

The elections of February 16, 1936 gave leftist control to ALL branches of government. Franco's friend Gil Robles visited conservative Prime Minister Portela in the early morning hours of the 17th to urge him to declare martial law as rioting in the streets was breaking out. But Portela was too weak and indecisive. So Franco, as Chief of The General Staff, pressured Gen. Nicolas Molero, The Minister of War, to sieze the initiative and impose martial law. A cabinet meeting that afternoon finally set up a State of Alert for 8 days. Franco later made it clear to Portela that the Army would support him if he would stay in power. Ignoring that, Portela and his cabinet resigned on Feb. 19th, handing over power to Azana, now the new leftist Popular Front Prime Minister. Franco was removed from his position and given the post of commander of The Canary Islands. This would effectively banish him from local political affairs, it was thought.

The next few months saw increasingly bizarre moves by the leftists in power. Conservative Army officers kept pleading with Franco to join their planned coup. They knew that a coup could never work without the public support that would come with his participation. Under the leadership of Gen. Mola, the plot was growing rapidly and in the middle of May, a Lt. Col. informed Mola that the garrisons of Morocco were ready to rise. Meanwhile, the Falange ( a rightist party ) grew rapidly in numbers out of fear of leftist party legalisms and code of violence. It's rise was matched on The Left by the rise of Largo Caballero whom Pravda ( in Moscow ) praised as "the Spanish Lenin". He toured Spain, preaching socialist revolution to crowds of cheering poor workers. May Day marches, clenched fist salutes, revolutionary rhetoric, and violence were his hallmarks.

A small plane was chartered and sent clandestinely to bring Franco to Morocco. It arrived in Casablanca on July 12th on it's way to the islands. But Franco was STILL hesitant to join the coup. Finally, events forced his hand. On July 13th, leftists murdered a prominent right-wing politician friend of Franco, Calvo Sotelo, in retaliation for the murder by Falangists of a leftist officer on July 12th. There was now virtually open war. Franco replied to the news, "We can wait no longer. This is the signal". He was flown out of The Canaries on July 18th while the coup broke out earlier than planned on the eve of the 17th.

When communists take over ALL branches of any government, they do NOT allow it to be taken back by elections. ONLY armed rebellion can ever restore natural order. But an uprising must have the right conservative and patriotic leaders. And it's chief operating leader MUST be a popular Army General because only the Army can organize ground operations on a scale large enough to establish quick order.

Will we in The USA have to take back this country from the coming New World Order? The lessons of 1936 Spain may have to be applied again. We are sheep and sheep need a shepherd to organize around. Sheep acting individually form a MOB not a FLOCK. A mob of sheep took over The Bastille in 1789. The result was the 10 year 'Reign of Terror'. For 1936 Spain, Franco was 'The Good Shepherd'. For all his later brutal record, he was a key hero of the 20th century as he saved his beloved country from communism.

--Ray Curtis, Wednesday January 28, 2009