Historical Figure
Pancho Villa
d. 1923
Mexican revolutionary general and politician (1878–1923)
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Biography
Francisco "Pancho" Villa was a Mexican revolutionary, guerrilla leader, and politician. He was a key figure in the Mexican Revolution, which forced out President and dictator Porfirio Díaz and brought Francisco I. Madero to power in 1911. When Madero was ousted by a coup led by General Victoriano Huerta in February 1913, Villa joined the anti-Huerta forces in the Constitutionalist Army led by Venustiano Carranza. After the defeat and exile of Huerta in July 1914, Villa broke with Carranza. Villa dominated the meeting of revolutionary generals that excluded Carranza and helped create a coalition government. Emiliano Zapata and Villa became formal allies in this period. Like Zapata, Villa was strongly in favor of land reform, but did not implement it when he had power. Villa served as provisional governor of Chihuahua from 1913 to 1914.
Timeline
The story of Pancho Villa, told in moments.
Born Jose Doroteo Arango Arambula in San Juan del Rio, Durango, Mexico. His father was a sharecropper who died when Doroteo was young. He had almost no schooling.
Fled to the mountains after reportedly shooting a landowner who assaulted his sister. He joined a band of outlaws and took the name Francisco "Pancho" Villa.
Joined the Mexican Revolution under Francisco Madero. Villa raised an army of thousands in Chihuahua. His cavalry charges broke federal army lines repeatedly.
Raided Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 Americans. President Wilson sent General Pershing with 10,000 troops into Mexico to hunt him. They never caught him.
Assassinated in his car in Parral, Chihuahua. Seven gunmen fired over 40 bullets. He was 45. His last words, supposedly: "Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
In Their Own Words (5)
Men will not forget that Pancho Villa was loyal to the cause of the people.
As quoted in Pancho Villa: Rebel of the Mexican Revolution (2006) by Mary Englar, 2006
Companions of arms and lords. Do not believe that the one who is going to speak to them is a philosopher, I am a man of people, but you will understand that these men when they speak, speak with the heart.
The country must be governed by someone who really loves his people and his land, who shares wealth and progress. I have all that, only that I am ignorant. "
I am not an educated man. I never had an opportunity to learn anything except how to fight..
I, Pancho Villa, was a loyal man that destiny brought the world to fight for the good of the poor and that I will never betray nor forget my duty."
Artifacts (15)
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