The dictatorships of Francisco Franco in Spain and Augusto Pinochet in Chile are often seen as outliers—military regimes rather than classic fascist movements. But what actually drove their rise, and how should socialists understand their place within the broader history of reaction? This session examines the class forces behind both dictatorships, the role of the military, the crushing of workers’ movements, and the relationship between fascism, counter-revolution and authoritarian state power. Understanding these regimes helps clarify the threats facing social movements in moments of crisis today.