Huerta and the Civil War

The Civil War in Mexico was part of the revolutionary process. It began with Madero's arrival in Mexico and continued throughout the span of the revolution. During the period from 1910-1917, there were several complicated rebellions and declarations by different actors in revolutionary operations theatre. When Madero was alive, Emiliano Zapata issued "Plan de Ayala." The Plan was first proclaimed on November 28, 1911, in Ayala, that was later amended. It serves as the sacred text of the Zapatista movement even today. The civil war thus can be conceptualized as a counter-revolution in Mexico.

At the end of ten sad days (La Decena Trágica) that ended with the forced resignation and assassination of President Madero and the vice president Pino Suarez, Victoriano Huerta came to the power as the president of Mexico in February 1916. He was one of the controversial figures of the revolution and most Mexicans recognize him as a usurper of power from the legitimate president, and his supporters are called Huertistas. With Huerta in power, the Mexican Revolution entered into a period of bloody and prolonged civil war. This was the civil war that was characterized by multiple conflicts and fronts. This was the period where the icons of the Mexican Revolution played a critical role in the dethroning of Huerta --Emiliano Zapata, Francisco "Pancho" Villa, and Venustiano Carranza among others. The role of the United States meddling in the affairs of Mexico during the revolution has remained controversial. Victoriano Huerta was exiled, held, and died in El Paso, Texas in 1916. A part of his papers is at UC Riverside Library. Sabino Osuna's collection is related to the Mexican Revolution at UC Riverside.

The other important plan that marked the Mexican Revolution was Plan de Guadalupe (In English translation). It was issued by Venustiano Carranza, one of the principal leaders of the Mexican Revolution. He was the governor of Coahuila. The plan was issued from Hacienda Guadalupe on March 26, 1913. Venustiano Carranza had supported Madero and his Plan de San Luis. He was also known as Primer Jefe or the First Chief. The plan did not recognize the legitimacy of Victoriano Huerta's coup d'etat. UC Berkeley Library holds a part of Venustiano Carranza's correspondence in its Bancroft Library. The constitutional movement or El movimiento constitucionalista from 1913-1917 is considered the second phase of the Mexican Revolution.

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