Picture two groups in the same country. They disagree so deeply that they start fighting. That is what happened in Spain in 1936. The Spanish Civil War lasted three terrible years. On one side were people who supported the elected government. On the other side was a general named Francisco Franco, who wanted to take power by force. Soldiers from other countries came to help both sides. Germany and Italy sent weapons and planes to help Franco. Volunteers from around the world came to fight for the other side because they believed in democracy. On March 28, 1939, Franco's army marched into Madrid, the capital city. The war was over. Franco became Spain's dictator -- a leader who rules without elections. He would control Spain for the next thirty-six years. The war left Spain in ruins. Cities were destroyed. Families were torn apart. About 500,000 people died during the fighting. It took decades for Spain to recover and become the vibrant country it is today. The Spanish Civil War was a warning to the world. Just five months after it ended, World War II began in Europe.