Emiliano Zapata

Emiliano Zapata is a leader that has his roots ingrained in the peasant class of Morelos. Zapata’s strongest aspects are leadership, determination, and his humble yet radical attitude. For the peasant classes of not only Morelos, but for the entirety of Mexico, he is the motivation for the revolutions that aspired for a better Mexico. Zapatism, or Zapata’s policy, focused mainly on the pursuit of agrarian reform, specifically in the pursuit of land transfer from the hacendados to the pueblos in Morelos. Zapata’s weakest aspect has to be his failure to recognize the facade presented by Madero

Rating:

Leader: 9/10

Personality: 8/10

Attractiveness: 1/10

Name: 10/10

• Ideology:
• Zapatism
• Need for aggressive land reform policies by the government.
• When needs weren’t met, revolutionary forces were created.
• Wanted the establishment of communal land rights for the indigenous population of Mexico.
• Mainly for Morelos.
• Agrarian reform on a small scale that would inspire a nation-wide need for agrarian reform.
• Aims:
• Land re-distribution from Hacendados to Pueblas.
• Only pertained to the peasants of Morelos.
• Not necessarily against Diaz; targeted his efforts in providing aid for his people.
• Methods:
• The Plan de Ayala, made on November 25,1911, had denounced Madero of the betrayal of Zapata and their agreed upon ideals.
• Called for the immediate return of all land taken by hacendados.
• When the needs were not met, Zapata allies with Carranza in revolutionary efforts, taking over Cuautla
• Successes/ achievements:
• Able to communicate with the people of Morelos who spoke an indigenous language and with the Spanish speaking people.
• Battle of Ciudad Juarez: Zapata combined forces with Madero to overthrow Diaz’s army in Ciudad Juarez.
• Led to the Treaty of Ciudad Juarez.
• Replaced Diaz with Francisco de la Barra.
• Did not mention social reform.
• Powerful revolutionary leader during Diaz Presidency.
• On May 13, 1911, Zapata and 4,000 armed men attacked Cuautla, Mexico.
• Captured Cuautla on May 19, blocking access to Mexico City from Diaz support.
• Increased support for revolutionary movements.
• Failures:
• Zapata failed to understand that Madero would not meet the demands of land reform made by Zapatistas.
• Didn’t achieve the proper land reform that he wanted.
• Death:
• Pablo Gonzales was sent by Carranza to kill Zapata
• Gonzales sends Jesus Guajardo to bump off Zapata.
• Zapata suggests a mutiny by Guajardo to join revolutionary forces.
• Asks, Guajardo to attack a munitions depot to prove compliance.
• Guajardo agrees. (Double crosses)
• Guajardo attacks the munitions depot and calls for a meeting with Zapata.
• Zapata meets Guajardo and is shot immediately.
• Leads to the dissolve of revolutionary forces in southern Mexico.