# Pancho Villa

> Mexican revolutionary (1878-1923)

**Wikidata**: [Q192278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancho_Villa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pancho-villa

## Summary
Pancho Villa (1878–1923) was a Mexican revolutionary leader and partisan who played a pivotal role in the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920). Known for his guerrilla warfare tactics and leadership in the struggle against dictatorial regimes, he became a symbol of agrarian reform and social justice in Mexico.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 5, 1878
- **Nationality**: Mexican
- **Known for**: Leading revolutionary forces during the Mexican Revolution and advocating for land redistribution
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, politics, guerrilla warfare

## Contributions
Pancho Villa was a key figure in the Mexican Revolution, commanding the División del Norte, one of the most effective revolutionary armies. His military campaigns, including the Battle of Ciudad Juárez (1911) and the Battle of Zacatecas (1914), were instrumental in overthrowing the regime of Victoriano Huerta. Villa also implemented agrarian reforms, redistributing land to peasants in northern Mexico. His legacy includes his role in shaping Mexico's post-revolutionary government and his enduring status as a folk hero.

## FAQs
- **What was Pancho Villa's real name?**
  Pancho Villa's birth name was José Doroteo Arango Arámbula.

- **What role did Pancho Villa play in the Mexican Revolution?**
  He was a prominent revolutionary leader who fought against dictatorial regimes and advocated for land reform, commanding the División del Norte.

- **When and how did Pancho Villa die?**
  He was assassinated on July 20, 1923, in Parral, Chihuahua.

- **What is Pancho Villa's legacy?**
  Villa is remembered as a symbol of resistance and social justice, with his military campaigns and agrarian policies leaving a lasting impact on Mexico's history.

## Why They Matter
Pancho Villa's leadership during the Mexican Revolution was crucial in dismantling oppressive regimes and promoting land redistribution, which reshaped Mexico's social and political landscape. His tactics and ideals influenced subsequent revolutionary movements in Latin America, and his legacy as a champion of the poor continues to inspire.

## Notable For
- Leading the División del Norte during the Mexican Revolution
- Key victories at the Battle of Ciudad Juárez (1911) and the Battle of Zacatecas (1914)
- Advocating for agrarian reform and land redistribution
- Being a folk hero and symbol of resistance in Mexican history

## Body
### Early Life
Pancho Villa was born José Doroteo Arango Arámbula on June 5, 1878. Little is documented about his early years, but he emerged as a revolutionary leader during the Mexican Revolution.

### Military Career
Villa rose to prominence as the commander of the División del Norte, a revolutionary army that fought against the forces of dictator Victoriano Huerta. His military strategies, including guerrilla warfare, were instrumental in key battles such as the capture of Ciudad Juárez in 1911 and the Battle of Zacatecas in 1914. These victories weakened Huerta's regime and contributed to the eventual success of the revolutionary forces.

### Political and Social Impact
Beyond his military achievements, Villa was a vocal advocate for agrarian reform. He implemented policies to redistribute land to peasants in northern Mexico, addressing long-standing social inequalities. His actions earned him widespread support among the rural poor, solidifying his status as a folk hero.

### Later Years and Death
After the revolution, Villa's influence waned as political dynamics shifted. He was assassinated on July 20, 1923, in Parral, Chihuahua, under circumstances that remain debated. His death marked the end of an era but cemented his legacy as a revolutionary icon.

### Legacy
Pancho Villa's impact on Mexico's history is profound. His military campaigns and social reforms played a pivotal role in shaping the country's post-revolutionary government. He remains a symbol of resistance and justice, celebrated in Mexican culture and history. His life and actions continue to be studied and commemorated, reflecting his enduring significance.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Catholicism
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. SNAC
8. Find a Grave
9. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Swedish Open Cultural Heritage
12. CONOR.SI
13. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
14. LIBRIS. 2013
15. [Profile for Pancho Villa from The 48 Laws of Power (page 1)](https://www.goodreads.com/characters/115081-pancho-villa)