Franco was long underestimated, yet he ruled longer than any of his fellow fascist leaders. And - unlike Hitler or Mussolini - he was eventually accepted by democracies. After four decades of tyranny, he died in his own bed in November 1975. How was this possible? How did he manage to stay in power? After seizing power with the military putsch of 1936, Franco launched a crusade against the Republic with the help of the Catholic Church - and did not hesitate to exterminate his opponents by the tens of thousands. For many, he is a monster. But despite his crimes, many activists continue to honor him today…