The presented work, dedicated to F. Franco Baamonde, can be called a sketch for a portrait against the background of the era. A personality that has long been considered odious in our historical science, and most importantly in our public consciousness, requires more careful study. For almost forty years, the Generalissimo and Caudillo determined the fate of Spain, giving their name to the distinctive political system. However, it is also true that he was a typical representative of his country and his era. The focus of the study is the story of the transformation of a lieutenant into an authoritarian leader of the state. For specialist historians and political scientists and everyone interested in the history of Spain, which is geographically distant, but mentally very close to us.