[3/4] -- PANCHO VILLA -- Anti-Hero of The SouthWest - Mexican Revolutionary -- Part II
In Part I, our protagonist is living the life of a Mexican Bandit. His fearless exploits and daring escapes against the rich have earned him notoriety and the admiration of the people. He narrowly escapes with his life many times while living as an outlaw and is now about to embark on a life journey into history.
Source: Wikimedia
Pancho Villa and members of his Army
1915
Part II
Time for Change
The regime of President Porfirio Diaz would last about 33 years. Mexico would undergo many changes both politically and economically on its way to modernization and the Industrial Age. Diaz took a "heavy handed" approach to dealing with lawlessness, quickly executing any who challenged authority. Diaz created a stronger police force with more authority over the people, while modernizing the military. With less crime, foreign investment was more willing to invest in Mexico. The country's infrastructure was also vastly improved during Diaz's tenure. Rail road miles went from about 400 miles to over 15,000 miles of track by the end of his rule. Mexico used foreign investment to increase its exports of precious metals such as Gold and Silver.
Yet, despite the many great advancements Mexico would make in joining the rest of the modern World, there would be much discontent amongst a majority of the people. Early on in his tenure and through most of his time in power, Diaz's political underhand would secure his rule as well as that of his party. This would ensure that the wealthy and foreign investors were the only ones who benefited from Diaz's policies. Mexico's elite would continue to accumulate wealth, land and power, while the rest of its people would suffer under the mighty weight of oppression and poverty disguised as freedom.
Source: Wikimedia
Villa and his mighty steed
"amigo de los pobres" - friend to the poor
From about 1895 to 1910, Francisco "Pancho Villa" lived his life on the run, robbing and looting then quickly escaping into the vastness of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Villa gained much fame and notoriety during these times. The poor considered him a hero, much like Robin Hood. Pancho Villa gained the love of the people because he did give to those in need. Villa also gained the hatred of the elite for his repeated assaults against their wealth. Villa would take herds of cattle or attack gold mines and would then feed and share with the locals. He would be known as both a ruthless man and a man of the people, feared by the government and wealthy while adored as a champion of the people.
Around 1910, Porfirio Diaz's 33 year Dictatorship was coming to an end. Discontent among some of the rich of Mexico was starting to boil over against Diaz. The "Super Rich" would not let anyone gain a foothold in Mexico's Economy. The privileged owned about 98% percent of all land holdings in Mexico. The poor suffered severely. Rich land barons would grow more crops for exports in order to make more money, and didn't grow any corn for domestic consumption. People were starving in the streets, and the scarcity of corn drove the price higher, making times even harder for the poor. It was this societal backdrop that would inspire the country's political reform and Pancho Villa's fight.
Source: Wikimedia
Francisco Madero
33rd President of Mexico
In Office
6 November 1911 – 19 February 1913
Francisco Madero, a rich land baron, ran for President in the elections of 1910. Diaz, now 80 years old had decided that he would not seek re-election, so Diaz approved of Madero's candidacy, initially. They shared some political ideology, but Madero wanted to end foreign investment in Mexico while allowing more of the wealthy outside of the President's circle access to the political arena. Diaz, despite being 80 years old, realized that Madero was a threat to the large amounts of Foreign money that was and would be invested in Mexico (Primarily U.S.money from investors like Rockerfellers, Morgans etc). There was no formidable opposition to Madero's candidacy, so Diaz instead ran for re-election and had Madero arrested along with about 5000 of his closest supporters. During his campaign, Madero had gained much support throughout the country. Madero was able to bond out of jail, and fled north to San Antonio, Texas.
"Sería magnífico, yo creo, ayudar a hacer de México un lugar feliz" / It would be magnificent, I believe, to help make of Mexico a joyful place.
During this time, Abraham Gonzalez would lead the Anti-Re-electionist Club in Chihuahua, a political group against Diaz's re-election. Gonzalez befriended Pancho Villa during this time, and eventually became Villa's mentor. Villa quickly became interested in supporting the political movement against Porfirio Diaz and his regime while furthering the cause of the poor.
20 de Noviembre (20th of November)
Francisco Madero had written a plan while in jail during the elections called the Plan de San Luis Potosi. Madero's plan called for an armed uprising against the dictatorship of Diaz and called for the re-institution of democracy in Mexico. From San Antonio, Texas, he declared himself provisional President of Mexico on November 20, 1910. His plan was published throughout the country, and it called for violent action on that very same day at 6:00 pm.
Source: Wikimedia
Pancho Villa had secured a large Hacienda days prior, on November 17, dead center in the middle of the largest and northernmost state in Mexico, the state of Chihuahua. So on November 20th, he quickly attacked a large military regiment and over took their train followed by over taking the small town of San Andres. Other parts of the country in the south took to arms as well, but the north was the burning core to the fire of the Mexican Revolution. Villa and his now growing band of revolutionaries attacked and defeated the Federal Army in two more battles, while losing a battle. The country was now in the infancy of its 10 year revolution.
Pancho Villa and Pascual Orozco, another fervent revolutionary, attacked the city of Juarez in the Battle of Juarez on April 7, 1911. The battle turned into a siege and within days the city belonged to the Revolutionaries. Meanwhile, in the south of Mexico, the revolutionary Emiliano Zapata also overtook the city Cuautla in the State of Morelos, Mexico. Diaz now realized he would not be able to stop the Revolution. On May 25, 1911, Porfirio Diaz resigned and went into exile in France. Chapter one of the Revolution was now over.
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wikimedia.org
wikipedia.org
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