Icons of the Mexican Revolution

Erupting in 1910, the Mexican Revolution was launched as a struggle against the decades-long regime of President Porifirio Diaz. It is considered the most important political moment of the 20th century and has long been regarded as a people's revolution, which consisted of campesinos, career military officers, and statesmen.

ANALYSIS: ¡Viva the Mexican Revolution! Or, Not

PORIFIRIO DIAZ

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Photo: Wikipedia

An experienced military general, Porifirio Diaz rose to the presidency largely from his reputation in waging key battles against the landed elite and conservatives during the Reform War that broke out after Mexican independence. Inaugurated in 1876, Diaz had one of the longest tenures of a presidency in the country's history: it lasted until 1911. He is credited with modernizing the country, having encouraged the creation of an important nationl train network and promoted industrial development in the country.

However, this form of development was buttressed by consolidating the wealth and power of a new technocratic class that controlled the direction of the country's industrial development, often at the expense of the middle and lower classes. Amid class tensions and after more than 30 years in power, Diaz's decision to continue his presidency in 1911 sparked the revolution erupted against him, with various guerrilla militias converging against his army.

EMILIANO ZAPATA

Photo: EFE

Of humble origins from southern Mexico, Emiliano Zapata has been regarded as the absolute symbol of the Mexican Revolution. He coined the rallying cry, “Tierra y libertad” (Land and Liberty), and was instrumental in demanding broad land redistribution for the working class, most notably the country’s campesinos. His entire military and political platform was grounded within the needs and realities of working class Mexicans.

Having fought to get fellow revolutionary leader Francisco I. Madero into power, he helped draft concrete plans for land reform called the Ayala Plan. As the conflict continued, he was eventually betrayed under the pretext of negotiating a peace deal and assassinated in 1919.

ADELITAS

Photo: EFE

An integral force of the revolutionary conflicts that rocked Mexico in the early 20th century, the “Adelitas” was a name given to the many women who participated in the war as soldiers, nurses, spies, tax collectors, journalists, generals, and colonels amongst others. The roots of the term come from Adela Velarde Pelaez, a nurse who tended to soldiers in Pancho Villa's platoon. She was eventually decorated as a war hero for her important roles in battle.

Their roles and status were so important to those 20th century struggles that songs called “corridos” were created in homage to these women who provided the foundation of the revolution.

FRANCISCO “PANCHO” VILLA

Born as Doroteo Arrango, Francisco “Pancho” Villa, is one of the most famous Mexican historical figures in the world. His military leadership was instrumental in the destruction of the decades long Diaz regime. As indicative of that tumultuous decade of leader after leader being removed from power, Villa was consistently mobilizing against whomever was in power at the time. After receiving an official pardon for his military excapades in the early 1920's, he was eventually assassinated in 1923.​

ANALYSIS: Mexico's Lazaro Cardenas, 'The Perfect Politician'