Los Años Trágicos (A timeline of the Mexican Revolution)

The Mexican Revolution was a rather messy time. Presidents and administrations came and went like paper cups. Presidencies lasted months, weeks, or even, in one unfortunate incident, 45 minutes, the shortest of any leader in history [1] This period of turbulence started in 1910, when Mexican President Porfirio Diaz after 30 years of absolute control, resigned [2] after an investigation revealed election fraud. This created a power vacuum, and Liberal presidential candidate, Francisco Madero was all too happy to fill it. However, it came to show that his promised reforms would never see the light of day, so in early 1912, many radicals [3] declared war against the current administration. Taking advantage of the chaos, in February 1913 a group of conservative officers over through Madero, executed him, and installed General Victoriano Herta as president. Huerta then proceeded to reform the Mexican government into a military dictatorship, killing as many political rivals as he could, and dissolving congress. All of this, as you could imagine, made Huerta very unpopular, [4] and on July 15, 1914, Huerta was forced out of power by Liberal Venustiano Carranza, and exiled. However, Huerta hadn't disappeared from the violent world of Mexican politics. He had just taken a break to lick his wounds. Soon, after his exile, he began to meet with German [5] agents, to gain support for a possible counter-revolution He then met up with other Mexican exiles, who also supported Huerta in a conservative counter revolution. So, Huerta agreed to meet Pascual Orozco, an ex-revolutionary leader in the small railroad town of Newman, New Mexico to launch their campaign.[6] Newman was the perfect place to start a secret invasion of Mexico. Only 20 miles from the Mexican border, and the rail road connection made it convenient to travel to. This also made it convenient for law enforcement officials to get to. Thus, in Late July, Huerta's plans almost came to a premature end.

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June 27, 1915. Newman, New Mexico

Pascual Orozco looked nonchalantly around the dusty train station in the small one horse town as the train pulled in. He then spied a few cops, and soldiers. Shit, he thought. I figured they wouldn't be able to think, never mind get up and try to arrest me, after all they drank last night. He then nervously picked up the box at his feet. Inside was Orozco's little diversion, [7] a half stick of dynamite,with a ten second fuse. He took a peek inside, as if the dynamite might disappear. The train then came to a screeching halt. Pascaul then carefully set the box down, took out a cigarette, and a book of matches.

He lit the cigarette, and inhaled deeply as he watched Huerta disembark. The lawmen then began to shuffle over to Huerta, hands on their guns. Orozco then picked up his box, and sidled over to Huerta.

He whispered "On the count of five, we run like hell to that car over there." He pointed. "Understood?"

Huerta cocked his head to the side, curious. "Yes."

Orozco smiled as he took the dynamite out of the box an touched his cigarette end to the fuse. Huerta's eyes widened in fear, and respect.

"One...two...three...four...five!" On five he thew the dynamite at the lawmen, and he and the old general sprinted over to the idling Model T. The explosion broke the peace and tranquility of the small New Mexican village as screams of pain and confusion filled the air.

"Drive, Drive!" screamed Orozco at the driver, a twenty-something exile who was lured to the Huertaristas by the prospect of money and power. The car then flew down the road, south to Texas, and soon, Mexico.

[1]Except, of course the Black Adder ;)

[2] With extreme prejudice

[3] Like Pancho Villa, and Zapata

[4] Even today, his name is reviled by Mexicans, and is called "El Chacal" (the Jackel)

[5] Germany had a great interest in forming an alliance with Mexico, as a way to distract the US, and prevent them from entering the Great War

[6] IOTL, the Huertarista revolution ends here, with Orozco and Huerta getting arrested.

[7] Ladies and gentlemen, the POD

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Here's a little Wikipedia box that I though together.
wikibox.png


Comments are appreciated.
 
Something different, for a change. Very interesting. I guess most of these revolutionary leaders were just out for themselves, but I believe Villa and Zapata were sincere in wanting to help uplift Mexico's Indians and landless poor.
I've always admired Villa a lot; he was a great cavalry commander. Can you imagine what he might have done with a division of tanks? Tanks existed at the time, of course; unfortunately, none of the Mexican factions could afford them.
For those interested in this conflict, you might try Osprey Publications' "The Mexican Revolution 1910-20" by P.Jowett and A. de Quesada. The illustrations are superb, and it gives a pretty good outline of events, although it doesn't cover the Escobar rebellion (1929), which I consider a continuation of the revolutionary struggle.
We have an impressive statue of Pancho Villa here in Tucson; it's worth a look, if you ever come to visit.

 
Oh man, ancestors on both sides of my family fought for Caranza (and Villa on my mother's side), so I'm probably not born in this TL.
 
I am interested in this project. How much cognac is Huerta drinking?

Villa is overrated as a military commander. At Celaya he threw men at Obregon's entrenchments and the Division of the North was butchered.
 
I am interested in this project. How much cognac is Huerta drinking?

Villa is overrated as a military commander. At Celaya he threw men at Obregon's entrenchments and the Division of the North was butchered.

I'm afraid Villa had no idea how to deal with entrenchments. Obregon knew his enemy wouldn't be able to resist ordering his usual cavalry charge, even when faced with a dug-in opponent. Villa should have ordered his men to dismount and advance on food, or better yet, flank Obregon's entrenchments.
 
Something different, for a change. Very interesting.[1] I guess most of these revolutionary leaders were just out for themselves, but I believe Villa and Zapata were sincere in wanting to help uplift Mexico's Indians and landless poor.
[2] I've always admired Villa a lot; he was a great cavalry commander. Can you imagine what he might have done with a division of tanks? Tanks existed at the time, of course; unfortunately, none of the Mexican factions could afford them.
[3]For those interested in this conflict, you might try Osprey Publications' "The Mexican Revolution 1910-20" by P.Jowett and A. de Quesada. The illustrations are superb, and it gives a pretty good outline of events, although it doesn't cover the Escobar rebellion (1929), which I consider a continuation of the revolutionary struggle.
[4] We have an impressive statue of Pancho Villa here in Tucson; it's worth a look, if you ever come to visit.

1. Yeah, I figured that as well. Huerta can bribe most of them, but Villa and Zapata are going to have to go down the hard way.
2. Hmm..maybe Villa will live a little bit longer...
3. Thank you for info, and for the book, I'll have to search around the library for it. :)
4. I'll have to check that out, next time I'm in the area.
Oh man, ancestors on both sides of my family fought for Caranza (and Villa on my mother's side), so I'm probably not born in this TL.
Ouch. Sorry to hear that. :eek: Would you like for me to give your ancestors a cameo in a vignette? If interested, PM me.

I am interested in this project. How much cognac is Huerta drinking?

Villa is overrated as a military commander. At Celaya he threw men at Obregon's entrenchments and the Division of the North was butchered.
1. Not as much as OTL. I figured that he was drinking to cope with being arrested, not allowed to return to his homeland, cut off from his family, etc

2. Duly noted.

Perhaps we could see a Mexi-American War II!
Mayhaps...I don't want to give too many hints. ;)
 
1. Yeah, I figured that as well. Huerta can bribe most of them, but Villa and Zapata are going to have to go down the hard way.
2. Hmm..maybe Villa will live a little bit longer...
3. Thank you for info, and for the book, I'll have to search around the library for it. :)
4. I'll have to check that out, next time I'm in the area.

@demonkangaroo: I found my copy of "The Mexican Revolution" on Amazon. It was used, but it's like new. I buy books from them pretty often.
 
German demands

If Huerta returns to power German demands will start with disruption of Mexico's oil exports to Britain. There is some ambiguity about how much Britain needed Mexican oil. In addition to the RN moving to oil fueled warships the British domestic economy was the world's motorized and the BEF was using motor vehicles (ASC and ambulance corps) more than any other army. However while Mexico like Persia was a cheap source of oil its quality was regarded as somewhat suspect.
 
Announcement!

Sorry about the lack of update this week. Normally, I'll post twice a week, once on Monday, and once on Thursday. There will be an update on Monday, and a good one, to. Again, I apologize, but I swear on the eventual grave of my father, there will be an update on Monday.
 
Announcement

I apologize for my lack of update yesterday I was unable to gain access to a computer yesterday; and I will update later today

 
[FONT=&quot]When Huerta returned to Mexico from his exile, the many factions of the revolution were divided over his presence. Carranza and the federal government were in a panic over their former enemy. Conservatives rejoiced over his return, but were wary, due to Huerta's betrayal of Felix Diaz. [1] Most everyday people, and refugees saw him as a chance for peace and stability, and many flocked to his headquarters in Bosque Bonita. Radicals however, were split over the former president. Almost right off the bat, Pancho Villa opened talks with Huerta, and on July 7, they signed the treaty of Bosque Bonita, which put Villa and his army under Huerta’s command. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]From “The Mexican Revolution”, John Romchak, Harper Collins. 1997[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] Why did Villa decide to join Huerta? This question tends to baffle laymen, and on the surface; and with little context, makes no sense at all. However, when one looks at this exact time, it makes perfect sense. After all, Villa wanted nothing more, but to over through the government, and cause radical reforms; and after the Battle of Celaya [2], Villa was desperate for anything to allow him to implement his reforms, even if that included siding with Huerta, creating the oddest bedfellows in the Mexican Revolution. The second, however, was when Zapata decided to take up arms along side with the Federals…[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In response to the Bosque Bonita Alliance, Zapata and Carranza made their own agreement on July 12. Now, Mexico had only two opposing factions at war with each other. However, it wasn’t until early August until it really hit the fan, near Monterrey.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hosting one of the biggest battles of the Mexican-American War, Monterrey was no stranger to war. But, in the Revolution, it was relatively peaceful. That is, until Huertaristas attempted took it over from its Constitutionalist government. But why Monterrey?
map_mexico_railways_1910_b.jpg

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Well, at [/FONT][FONT=&quot]the time, it was a major railroad hub, and center of trade.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]If Huertaristas took it over, they could control almost all of Mexico; so, that is why on August 12, General Orozco received the order to hold Monterrey at all costs. All costs.

[1] There's a reason why he's called El Chacal, The Jackal. Genocide Link[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][2] A major battle in which Villa’s forces were routed, and he was left with less than a fraction of his men. It was Villas final crippling defeat that reduced him to returning to full banditry. [/FONT]
 
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