Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution
•Porfiriato (1876-1911) Describes the period of Porfirio Diaz’s 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 Mexico’s 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 Carranza’s 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 Carranza’s 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 Mexico’s 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 Carranza’s leadership after that. Villa never
articulated a clear ideology regarding the revolution, but he did speak of fighting to improve the lives of Mexico’s 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.
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 Diaz’s 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 Mexico’s President – Civil
War wages among revolutionary leaders – For a time, 5 individuals claim to be Mexico’s 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
• 1923-Pancho Villa (who had retired) is ambushed and killed