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Laura Anne Caponegro's avatar

Can you comment on the influence of Communism in Mexico, the horrors against the Catholic Church, and Trotsky's (?) retreat there from Russia after the Bolshivik takeover? Was Villa reacting against the inroads of socialism or working with that mindset?

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Jason A Clark's avatar

Hi Laura! Your questions are definitely a deeper dive on this subject.

While the things you mentioned are important aspects of Mexican history, they don't directly relate to Pancho Villa's story in the way you might be thinking.

The significant communist influence in Mexico and Trotsky's exile there occurred after Villa's time. Trotsky arrived in Mexico in 1937, 14 years after Villa's assassination. The Mexican Communist Party was founded in 1919, near the end of Villa's active revolutionary career.

The major conflicts between the Mexican government and the Catholic Church, known as the Cristero War, took place from 1926-1929, after Villa's death.

Villa wasn't primarily motivated by or reacting to socialist ideologies. His actions were more rooted in agrarian populism and a desire for land reform. While he collaborated with other revolutionaries who had more defined ideological stances, Villa himself was not strongly aligned with any particular political philosophy beyond a general desire for social justice and land redistribution.

Villa's revolution also predated the major communist influences in Mexico. While socialist ideas played a role for some revolutionaries, they weren't a primary driver for Villa himself. His motivations were more localized and personal, focusing on the immediate needs of the peasants and workers he represented, rather than being part of a broader ideological movement.

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Laura Anne Caponegro's avatar

Thank you, Jason! l much appreciate historical markers like you provide.

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JudyC's avatar

So much to unpack here! First of all, this post really hit home for me as I live in the San Antonio, Texas area, not too far from the border. San Antonio is home to Ft. Sam Houston, where General Pershing was stationed for a period.

Today’s lesson struck me, too, particularly this: “The complexity of Villa's character challenges us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we, like Paul, find ourselves doing the very things we wish to avoid? How many times have our actions contradicted our intentions, leaving us frustrated with our own inconsistency?”. Given the vitriol we are experiencing on social media, and sometimes participating in, after the assassination attempt on Trump, this question is one I ask myself. Do we do the very things that we despise the other side for? How many times have we witnessed hate and name calling from the “other side” and returned it? We should all strive to do better!

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Jason A Clark's avatar

Judy, I'm glad you found value in the lesson. I appreciate your insights. You're right on target! We all need to do better.

It's cool to know you live in the San Antonio area. I've been there more than a few times. I live outside Austin.

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JudyC's avatar

Oh, heck, I’m in Spring Branch, north of SAT. We have friends in Drippin’ and we’re only 40 minutes from there. Love our Texas Hill Country!

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Bryan Horton's avatar

Good stuff.

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Jim McCraigh's avatar

Great post... I'd forgotten about the New Mexico raid! I also didn't know that Poncho was not his birth name.

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