Pancho Villa: Life and Legacy of the Mexican Revolutionary

Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution

Pancho Villa (1878–1923) was a famed Mexican revolutionary and guerrilla leader. He joined Francisco Madero’s uprising against Mexican President Porfirio Díaz in 1909 and later became the leader of the División del Norte cavalry and governor of Chihuahua. After clashing with former revolutionary ally Venustiano Carranza, Villa killed more than 30 Americans in a pair of attacks in 1916. This prompted the deployment of a U.S. military expedition into Mexico, but Villa eluded capture during the 11-month manhunt. Pardoned by Mexican President Adolfo de la Huerta in 1920, Villa retired to a quiet life at his ranch until his assassination.

Early Life and Origins

Born Doroteo Arango on June 5, 1878, in Río Grande, Mexico, Villa helped out on his parents’ farm. After his father’s death, he became head of the household and shot a man who was harassing one of his sisters. He fled, but was caught and imprisoned. Villa escaped again and later became a bandit.

Rise to Revolutionary Power

While living as a fugitive, Villa joined Francisco Madero’s successful uprising against the Mexican dictator, Porfirio Díaz. Because of his skills as a fighter and a leader, he was made a colonel. Another rebellion removed Madero from power in 1912, and Villa was almost executed for his efforts to defend the former government. He fled to the United States for a time, but he later returned to Mexico and formed his own military force known as División del Norte (Division of the North).

Conflict and Final Years

Villa joined forces with other revolutionaries, including Venustiano Carranza and Emiliano Zapata, to overthrow Victoriano Huerta. However, the different forces were not wholly successful at working together, and Villa and Carranza became rivals. For a number of years, he was involved in a series of clashes with other Mexican military groups and even fought with U.S. troops from 1916 to 1917.

• 1920: Reached an agreement with Adolfo de la Huerta to end independent military activities in exchange for a pardon.
• 1923: Assassinated on June 20, 1923.