Final answer:
The Spanish Civil War was won by nationalist forces under General Francisco Franco, who established a fascist regime after defeating the republicans with support from Hitler and Mussolini.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Outcome of the Spanish Civil War and Key Players
The Spanish Civil War was won by the nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco. The conflict, lasting from 1936 to 1939, saw a division between the republicans, known as 'loyalists', and the nationalists. Franco's nationalists received substantial support from fascist leaders, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, while the Republican side was supported by Joseph Stalin and international volunteers such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Despite foreign aid to the Republicans, the nationalists were victorious, and Franco established a fascist regime that lasted until his death in 1975.
The Spanish Civil War was marked by significant bloodshed, with casualties possibly reaching 500,000. The conflict was underpinned by a struggle between conservative and progressive visions for Spain's future, with land and social reforms by the republic sparking conservative backlash. Franco's victory meant the suppression of the Republican ideals and the installation of a fascist state, which blended elements of totalitarian control with Spanish traditions such as the influence of the Catholic Church, maintaining a unique form of fascism separate from its European counterparts.