How did Francisco Franco use mass violence against Spain?

Answer 1

He employed secret police to terrorize communists and Republican supporters.

Answer 2

He was the commanding general of the Fascist forces that had risen against the Spanish government. His forces fought a civil war against the opposing Spanish Republicans that lasted from 1936 until 1939 and claimed 500,000 deaths. Apart from the deaths caused by his own troops, he called in the Nazi German air force to carry out bombardments on opposing forces and civilians alike. The bombardment of the town of Guernica has remained most infamous, claiming a fifth of its population.

Additionally, when Franco was in power, from 1939-1975, he used a number of tools of the state to remove any and all opposition to his power. He had an extensive secret police stationed throughout the country, especially at universities, that would interrogate and disappear any person who disagreed with Francoist policy. He put suspected Republicans in prisons to face hard labor. Finally, the Guardia Civil (Spanish Gendarmes) and the Policía Armada (Spanish Military Police) became notorious during the Franco period for human rights abuses like beatings, torture, violent interrogation, and general brutality.

Answer 3

He employed secret police to terrorize communists and republican supporters