Pancho Villa
Northern Mexico rebel
Pancho Villa was a Mexican revolutionary general who became one of the most prominent figures of the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920).
Born José Doroteo Arango Arámbula, he led the División del Norte and became a folk hero to many Mexicans while being viewed as a bandit by others.
His 1916 raid on Columbus, New Mexico prompted a failed U.S. military expedition to capture him.
The name sometimes appears in casual references to Mexican history or revolutionary figures: He fancied himself a Pancho Villa type.
Armed roadside thief
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- desperadoBold, reckless outlaw
- raiderOne who attacks suddenly
- rustlerOne who steals cattle
gunman · brigand · renegade · highwayman · plunderer · horse thief · wanted · notorious
Northern Mexican state and capital
- ZapataMexican agrarian revolutionary
- haciendaSpanish-speaking country estate
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
- Northern MexicoUpper portion of country
1910s armed political transformation
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- insurgentOne who revolts
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
resistance · cavalry · raid · rebellion · campaign · fighting · armed struggle · liberation
Celebrated figure from tradition
- corridoMexican narrative folk song
- balladNarrative poem or song
- mythosBody of foundational legends
- Robin HoodLegendary forest-dwelling archer
icon · martyr · symbol · legend · populist · champion · underdog · liberator
Attracting iron or attention
- commandingExerting strong authority
- dynamicActive and changing
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- persuasiveAble to convince others
inspiring · leader · captivating · bold · fearless · passionate · eloquent · visionary
Causing sharp disagreement
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- debatedFormally argued opposing views
- infamousHaving a terrible reputation
notorious · ambiguous · contradictory · vilified · glorified · complex · misunderstood · reappraised
bandit
Armed roadside thief
rustler · gunman · brigand · renegade · highwayman · plunderer · horse thief · wanted · notorious · lawless
Chihuahua
Northern Mexican state and capital
- ZapataMexican agrarian revolutionary
- haciendaSpanish-speaking country estate
- assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
Northern Mexico · 1910 · general · warlord
Mexican Revolution
1910s armed political transformation
insurrection · resistance · cavalry · raid · rebellion · campaign · fighting · armed struggle · liberation · movement
folk hero
Celebrated figure from tradition
Robin Hood · icon · martyr · symbol · legend · populist · champion · underdog · liberator · idol
magnetic
Attracting iron or attention
- commandingExerting strong authority
- dynamicActive and changing
- influentialHaving considerable effect
persuasive · inspiring · leader · captivating · bold · fearless · passionate · eloquent · visionary · rallying
divisive
Causing sharp disagreement
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- debatedFormally argued opposing views
infamous · notorious · ambiguous · contradictory · vilified · glorified · complex · misunderstood · reappraised · demonized
- Mexican RevolutionEmiliano Zapata, Zapatistas, La Cucaracha
- Latin AmericaArgentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Cuba
- Latin American FiguresSimon Bolivar, Che Guevara, Eva Peron, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi
- Outlawsoutlaw, bandit, desperado, highwayman, robber
- Mexican HistoryMexican Revolution, Mexican Independence, Mexican-American War, Texas Revolution, Aztec Empire
- Famous MexicansBenito Juarez, Frida Kahlo, Emiliano Zapata, Diego Rivera, Salma Hayek