Emiliano
Zapata (c.1879-1919) was a Mexican revolutionary. Born in Anenecuilco,
Morelos, he was a mediero (sharecropper) and horse trainer. He campaigned
for the restoration of village lands confiscated by hacendados (1908).
His slogan was "Tierra Y Libertad." He led (1910-19) an army of Indians
in the Mexican revolution with the goal of regaining the land. In
defense of his Plan of Alaya, he fought federal governments
and largely controlled S. Mexico. His army occupied Mexico City
three times (19l4-15), but he finally retired to
Morelos. On April 10, 1919, Zapata was tricked into a meeting with one
of Carranza's generals who wanted to "switch sides." The meeting was a
trap, and Zapata was killed as he arrived at the meeting. Zapata is still
revered by Mexican Indians.
Like Zapata, Pancho
(Francisco) Villa (c.l877-1923), was a Mexican revolutionary. Born
Doroteo Arango in Grande, Durango, he became a fugitive when he killed
an hacendado for attacking his sister. He joined the Madero revolution
in 1910. He and Zapata occupied (1914-15) Mexico City, but he was decisively
defeated (19l5) by Gen. Obregon. After Villa's men killed (1916) some American
citizens at Columbus, New Mexico, a U.S. army expedition pursued Villa
in Mexico for 11 months without success. Villa continued to fight until
1920 when he surrendered his troops to Adolfo de la Huerta. He was ambushed
and killed on July 23, 1923 in Parral. At times a rebel against injustice,
but always an undirected, destructive force, Villa became a national hero. |
