Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution

1
Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution

• Porfiriato (1876-1911) Describes the period of
  Porfirio Diazs dictatorship in Mexico. Diaz,
  who entered politics under Liberal ideals, ruled
  as an authoritarian, repressing many rights and
  freedoms. The Porfiriato is marked by increasing
  social stability and vast economic growth
  (dominated by a small minority of Mexican elite
  and foreigners). The Porfiriato came to an end
  only with the outbreak of Revolution in 1910.
• Francisco Madero Son of a wealthy hacienda owner
  who entered politics at the end of the
  Porfiriato, arguing that democracy needed to be
  restored and preserved in Mexico. Madero ran for
  president in 1910 but was imprisoned by Diaz and
  the elections were rigged. In late 1910 and
  early 1911, Madero helped to organize and lead a
  widespread revolt against Diaz that succeeded in
  driving the dictator from the country by May
  1911. Madero became the first elected president
  of Mexico after the fall of the Porfiriato.
• Victoriano Huerta Army general who had fought for
  Madero, but turned on him in 1913 as
  counterrevolutionary forces led an attack in
  Mexico City. Huerta arrested Madero (and his
  Vice President Jose Maria Pino Suarez) and had
  them assassinated. Huerta became a new dictator
  of Mexico 1913-1914.
• Venustiano Carranza Son of a hacienda owner in
  Coahuila. Saw the revolution as an opportunity
  to restore the Constitution of 1857 and
  specifically to safeguard Mexican interests
  against foreign domination. Joined rebellion on
  the side of Madero in 1909 and as governor of
  Coahuila refused to recognize the government of
  Huerta. Helped to lead rebellion that overthrew
  Huerta. Helped to write 1917 Constitution (which
  he did not support or enforce) and became
  Mexicos first president under the new
  constitution.
• Alvaro Obregon Revolutionary leader from northern
  state of Sonora (borders AZ) who became part of
  shifting alliances between 1910 and 1920.
  Eventually supports Carranzas presidency and
  helps lead national army against forces of Pancho
  Villa and Emiliano Zapata. Wins support from
  labor unions who see the revolution as an
  opportunity to reform labor codes. Obregon also
  joins Carranzas efforts to use revolution to
  reign in Catholic Church influence once and for
  all. President from 1920-1924. Assassinated in
  1928 by conservative, Roman Catholic seminary
  student opposed to anticlerical reforms.
• Emiliano Zapata Peasant (campesino) sharecropper
  from Morelos (in southern Mexico) who joined the
  revolution initially in support of Madero. Saw
  the revolution primarily as an opportunity to
  achieve land reform for Mexicos rural peasants,
  but also as a way to preserve rural traditions
  (Catholic). Adopted the slogan Tierra y Libertad
  (Land and Liberty) and quickly became
  discontented with the lack of attention other
  revolutionary leaders paid to land reform.
  Issued the Play de Ayala against Madero in 1911,
  declaring himself once again in revolt and
  forcefully seizing land in the name of the
  revolution. Continued to fight against
  revolutionary leaders who did not push land
  reform aggressively. Assassinated in 1919.
• Pancho Villa Revolutionary leader from Durango
  and led the Northern Division of the
  revolutionary forces in support of Madero. Villa
  joined the rebellion against Huerta in 1913 and
  continued to challenge Carranzas leadership
  after that. Villa never articulated a clear
  ideology regarding the revolution, but he did
  speak of fighting to improve the lives of
  Mexicos poor. Enjoyed the attention of
  journalists and used the media to his advantage.
  Slogan A good horse, a good woman, a good bowl
  of ice cream. Villa operated as an organized
  bandit and has come to represent Mexican
  manliness in every sense. Assassinated in 1923.

2
Mexican Revolution Timeline

• 1857-Liberals led by Juarez write a constitution.
  Reforms target conservative interests
• 1857 to 1861-Civil War called the War of Reform,
  between liberals and conservatives, occurs in
  Mexico.
• 1862-1867-French troops occupy Mexico. Napoleon
  III places Austrian Archduke Maxmiliano as
  emperor of Mexico
• 1876-1911-Porfirio Diaz leads Mexico as a
  dictator
• 1910-Francisco Madero attempts to run for
  president but election rigged in Diazs favor.
• November, 10, 1910-Madero begins an unsuccessful
  revolt against Diaz
• 1911-Madero revolts against Diaz again with a
  degree of popular support (particularly from
  Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata)
• 1911-Madero becomes President of Mexico.
• November, 28, 1911-Discontent with lack of land
  reform under Madero, Emiliano Zapata issues the
  Plan de Ayala and rises in revolt
• 1913-Madero is murdered by General Victoriano
  Huerta, who becomes president/dictator
• 1913-1914-Constitutionalist alliance (Carranza,
  Obregon, Villa) and independent Zapata rebel
  against Huerta dictatorship in favor of
  Constitution of 1857.
• July 1914-Huerta is forced to resign and flee
  Mexico
• Oct. 1914-Revolutionary leaders (Villa and
  Zapata) reject Carranza as Mexicos President
  Civil War wages among revolutionary leaders For
  a time, 5 individuals claim to be Mexicos
  legitimate leader at same time.
• December 1914-Villa and Zapata form weak alliance
  against Carranza (who forms weak alliance with
  Obregon)
• 1916-Pancho Villa leads raid on Columbus, New
  Mexico. U.S. General John J. Pershing sent on
  punitive expedition to find Villa and punish him.
  Pershing never successful.
• February 1917- Carranza successful in quelling
  most regional revolts. Revolutionary leaders
  draft new, progressive Constitution. Carranza is
  recognized as president
• April 10, 1919-Emiliano Zapata is murdered in an
  ambush arranged by Carranza
• 1920-Alvaro Obregon along with the Zapatistas,
  Villistas, and other revolutionary groups
  overthrow and
• kill Carranza.  Obregon becomes President of
  Mexico.  Fighting Ends