Whatever the role of Juan Carlos there is unfortunately another major player in Spain's tragic history in the 20th Century: the government of the United States. In the immediate aftermath of World War 2 during the discussions at the Yalta conference Stalin raised the issue of Franco's fate. Stalin wanted Franco and by implication the Falange Party removed from power in Spain as part of the Allied victory over fascism in Europe. President Truman (according to David McCullough's biography) was sympathetic to Stalin's demand but was reluctant to take any steps "that would restart the Spanish Civil War". Accordingly Franco remained in power. The Eisenhower administration, which in some ways demonstrated a surprisingly progressive foreign policy, compounded this error by including Spain In NATO thereby further legitimizing the Franco government. Interestingly the people of the United States, when asked, overwhelmingly supported the Republican government of Spain ; this support faced massive opposition however from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
Whatever the role of Juan Carlos there is unfortunately another major player in Spain's tragic history in the 20th Century: the government of the United States. In the immediate aftermath of World War 2 during the discussions at the Yalta conference Stalin raised the issue of Franco's fate. Stalin wanted Franco and by implication the Falange Party removed from power in Spain as part of the Allied victory over fascism in Europe. President Truman (according to David McCullough's biography) was sympathetic to Stalin's demand but was reluctant to take any steps "that would restart the Spanish Civil War". Accordingly Franco remained in power. The Eisenhower administration, which in some ways demonstrated a surprisingly progressive foreign policy, compounded this error by including Spain In NATO thereby further legitimizing the Franco government. Interestingly the people of the United States, when asked, overwhelmingly supported the Republican government of Spain ; this support faced massive opposition however from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.