Emiliano Zapata

Emiliano Zapata Salazar (August 8 1879 – April 10 1919) was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz that broke out in 1910.

The 1910 Revolution

At this time, Porfirio Díaz was being threatened by the candidacy of Francisco I. Madero. Zapata made quiet alliances with Madero, who at the time was perceived as a chance for genuine change in the country.

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In 1910, unrest finally broke out in the formation of guerrilla bands.

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Zapata quickly took an important role, becoming the general of an army that formed in Morelos (the Ejército Libertador del Sur – Liberation Army of the South).

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Zapata was partly influenced by an anarchist from Northern Mexico named Ricardo Flores Magón. The influence of Flores Magón on Zapata can be seen in the Zapatistas' Plan de Ayala, but even more noticeably in their slogan "Tierra y libertad" or "land and liberty", the title and maxim of Flores Magón's most famous work. Zapata's introduction to anarchism came via a local schoolteacher, Otilio Montaño Sánchez – later a general in Zapata's army, executed on 17 May 1917 – who exposed Zapata to the works of Peter Kropotkin and Flores Magón at the same time as Zapata was observing and beginning to participate in the struggles of the peasants for the land.

Related Topics:
Anarchist - Ricardo Flores Magón - Plan de Ayala - Otilio Montaño Sánchez - 17 May - 1917 - Peter Kropotkin

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Díaz was overthrown by Madero, largely due to widespread rebellions by the peones. Under Madero, some new land reforms were carried out and elections were to be ensured. However, Zapata was dissatisfied with Madero's stance on land reform, and was unable, despite repeated efforts, to make Madero understand the importance of the issue or to get him to act on it and support Zapata's reform plan, the Plan de Ayala. Finally, after Madero's appointment of a governor who supported the plantation owners and his lack of motion towards settling the land issue to Zapata's satisfaction, Emiliano mobilised the Liberation Army again.

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Madero, alarmed, asked Zapata to disarm and demobilise. Zapata responded that, if the people could not win their rights now, when they were armed, they would have no chance once they were unarmed and helpless. Madero sent several generals in an attempt to neutralise Zapata, but these efforts had little success.

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