Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 1 October 1936
- Francisco Franco took over the powers of the “National Council of Defence” ("Junta de Defense Nacional") – a nationalist organ which had until then led the anti-Republican forces in Spain.
On this day in 1936, General Francisco Franco was publicly declared Generalissimo and Head of State (Jefe del Estado). This took place in Burgos, the historic capital of Castille.
After becoming the Head of State, Franco took over the powers of the “National Council of Defense” (“Junta de Defensa Nacional”) – a nationalist organ which had until then led the anti-Republican forces in Spain. A dictatorship (dictadura) was established, where Franco was granted the title of “Caudillo” (leader).
The word “Caudillo” was most likely derived from the Latin “capitellum”, which is in turn derived from the word “caput” (head). The title “Caudillo” was used in a similar manner to Hitler’s “Führer” or Mussolini’s “Duce”.
For example, in Spain, the phrase “Una Patria, un Estado, un Caudillo” (One homeland, one state, one leader), was used in a similar manner to the phrase “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer” (One nation, one state, one leader) in Germany.
