Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919)

Emiliano Zapata is one of the most important icons in the Mexican Revolution.  As a farmer and horse trainer in his native state of Morelos, Mexico, Zapata’s rise to prominence began with his election as the representative of his village of Anenecuilco in 1909.  Soon after his election, Zapata became General in the revolutionary fighting group, the Liberation Army of the South.  His army provided support to Francisco Madero in his victorious bid for the presidency against Porfirio Diaz.  However, soon after Madero’s presidency began, it became apparent that he had no intention of pursuing the reform he had promised during his campaign, causing Zapata to pronounce against Madero in 1911.  In the ensuing years, under the banner of “Tierra y Libertad” (Land and Freedom), Zapata dedicated himself to the lone goal of obtaining the rights to own land for all Mexicans.  He and his army worked continuously to reclaim lands that were confiscated by foreigners and government officials and give them back to the people. Sadly, in 1919, Zapata was lured to a meeting by a general of an opposing army and was assassinated.  Zapata’s legacy lived on long after his death, though, in the work of the Zapatistas: those who dedicated themselves to continuing Emiliano Zapata’s fight for land reform.