Final answer:
Francisco Franco led the nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, overthrowing the democratic government in 1939 and establishing a dictatorship. With support from Hitler and Mussolini, Franco's regime differed from other fascist states, maintaining a distinct Spanish character.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general who led the nationalist army in the Spanish Civil War and overthrew Spain's democratic government in 1939 was Francisco Franco. Franco initiated a fascist-supported military coup against the socialist, anarchist, and workers parties forming the Spanish Popular Front government. Despite receiving support from Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini with troops and weapons, it was Franco who took charge of the nationalist faction and led them to victory.
Throughout the conflict, Britain, France, and other European nations maintained a policy of non-intervention. The international brigades, including the Abraham Lincoln Brigade from the United States, fought alongside the republic, while Stalin initially supported the Republic. After a bloody and devastating war, Franco's forces eventually triumphed, and he established a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975. The aftermath of the war saw severe reprisals against the defeated opponents and the establishment of a fascist regime aligned with but distinct from those of Germany and Italy.