The Spanish Civil War was fought from 17 July 1936 until the victory of the Nationalist faction on 1 April 1939. After the end of the war, the Spanish Republic formed a government-in-exile in Paris and Mexico City. Between the start of the civil war and Spanish transition to democracy and the reconciliation with the Spanish Republican government in exile in 1977, nations decided when, how, and if they recognised Francoist Spain as the legitimate government of Spain.