Pancho Villa

Who Was Pancho Villa?

Pancho Villa, originally known as Doroteo Arango, emerged from humble beginnings as a bandit before becoming a key figure in the Mexican Revolution. Inspired by the reformist ideals of Francisco Madero, Villa played a crucial role in Madero’s successful uprising against the long-standing dictator Porfirio Díaz. Following a coup orchestrated by Victoriano Huerta, Villa took command of his own military forces to combat the dictatorship, leading to a series of significant battles as the Mexican political landscape remained tumultuous. Tragically, Villa’s life was cut short when he was assassinated on July 20, 1923, in Parral, Mexico.

Early Life

Pancho Villa was born on June 5, 1878, in San Juan del Río, Durango, as Doroteo Arango. Growing up, Villa helped on his family’s farm, taking on increased responsibilities after the death of his father when he was just 15 years old. In an act of protection, he shot a man who was harassing one of his sisters in 1894, prompting him to flee and spend the next six years evading the authorities in the mountains. During this time, he aligned himself with a group of fugitives and adopted a life of banditry.

While the specifics of Villa’s activities during this period are largely undocumented, it is known that he changed his name to evade capture. In the late 1890s, Villa worked as a miner in Chihuahua and engaged in cattle rustling. However, his criminal endeavors escalated as he began robbing banks and targeting the wealthy.

Mexican Revolutionary Leader

In 1910, while still living as a fugitive, Pancho Villa joined Francisco Madero’s uprising against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. Utilizing his skills in reading, writing, and combat, alongside his extensive knowledge of the terrain, Villa played a pivotal role in Madero’s success, contributing to the revolutionary victory in the first Battle of Ciudad Juárez in 1911. The rebels successfully ousted Díaz, resulting in Madero’s appointment as president, during which Villa was promoted to the rank of colonel.

However, the new government faced immediate challenges. In 1912, Pascual Orozco, a fellow revolutionary who felt sidelined in Madero’s administration, initiated a rebellion against Madero’s authority. In an effort to protect Madero, Villa allied with General Victoriano Huerta, only to find himself at odds with Huerta when he was accused of horse theft. Although Villa was sentenced to execution, Madero intervened to secure a reprieve, yet he remained imprisoned until his escape in December 1912.

As the political landscape shifted, Huerta turned against Madero, ultimately assassinating him on February 22, 1913. In the wake of this betrayal, Villa joined forces with fellow revolutionaries Emiliano Zapata and Venustiano Carranza to overthrow Huerta’s regime. As a seasoned revolutionary leader, Villa commanded substantial military forces in northern Mexico, known as the División del Norte (Division of the North). His leadership during the revolt drew considerable attention from the United States, as he led his troops into battle with fervor.

Lights, Camera, Revolution

The prominence of Pancho Villa’s battles along Mexico’s northern border thrust him into the limelight, capturing the attention of photographers and journalists documenting the revolutionary events. In a surprising twist, Villa, a figure who had once concealed his identity to evade scrutiny, became enamored with the idea of being photographed. In 1913, he signed a contract with Hollywood’s Mutual Film Company to film several of his battles, effectively merging his revolutionary activities with the burgeoning world of cinema.

Civil Unrest and Death

The United States’ involvement in Villa’s story extended beyond mere media representation. Following a series of battles, Venustiano Carranza ascended to power in 1914. However, disillusioned by Carranza’s leadership, Villa allied himself with Emiliano Zapata and President Woodrow Wilson in an attempt to oust Carranza. As Carranza’s government sought to steer Mexico toward democracy, Wilson withdrew his support for Villa in 1915. This shift prompted Villa to orchestrate a kidnapping and the execution of 18 Americans in January 1916. Later that year, on March 9, Villa led a raid on Columbus, New Mexico,