The Victory Parade in Madrid

On 1 April 1939, the Spanish Civil War ended with the victory of the Nationalists. On 19 May, Franco presides in Madrid over a gigantic Victory parade: nearly 200,000 soldiers, German and Italian contingents come from the Condor Legion and the Corps of Volunteer Troops, and a liturgy of triumph that celebrates the 'Caudillo'.

Beyond the pomp, Franco must fix the nature of his peace. The country is drained, divided, and hundreds of thousands of defeated Republicans — soldiers, militants, sympathisers — are prisoners, in flight or in hiding. The Law of Political Responsibilities, adopted as early as February 1939, opens the way to mass prosecutions.

The choice is political and moral. Magnanimity and reconciliation to close the wounds? Or systematic repression to root out the 'anti-Spain' and to entrench the regime durably? Abroad, the question of which camp to join — the Axis that helped him, or a prudent neutrality — also arises as Europe slides toward war. The choice he settles on will shape not only the aftermath of the civil war, but Spain's place in the Europe tipping toward a new conflict.