Fascism in its various iterations swept through continental Europe like a tidal wave in the s and s While Hitlers Germany and Mussolinis Italy tend to steal the show in historical examinations of the topic Spain was also one of its most fruitful strongholds Ramiro Ledesma Ramos born in Spain at the beginning of the th century made a name for himself as one of the most fervent pioneers of Fascism in his country combining what he saw as the best elements of Mussolinis and Hitlers philosophies in order to create the ideal synthesis for SpainInstrumental in the formation of the Falange the leading Spanish Fascist political organization Ledesma personally designed the yoke and arrows symbol that would remain in use after the organizations assimilation by the Francoist government It is often said that the war of ideas finds its seeds in the young and Speech to the Youth of Spain implored the next generation to raise Spain up to be a great European power once more In this appeal to the