Name Class Date NATIONALISM AND REVOLUTION AROUND THE WORLD
Biography
Emiliano Zapata was an important leader of the Mexican Revolution. He joined that struggle in 1910 to fight for a fair distribution of land among Mexico’s poor. For years, ranchers took villagers’ lands without the government stepping in to prevent them. Using the motto “Tierra y Libertad” (“Land and Liberty”), Zapata led an army of Native Americans in revolt. ◆ As you read, think about how Zapata went about achiev ing his goals. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, answer the questions that follow.
Emiliano Zapata (1879–1919)

Emiliano Zapata was born in the central Mexican state of Morelos. He was a mestizo, or someone of European and Native American descent. As a young man, he labored as a ten ant farmer.
At the age of 18, Zapata took
part in a protest against a
landowner who had taken his and
other peasants’ lands without pay ment. Zapata was arrested, but later pardoned. However, he continued
to protest against the seizure of
land by wealthy landowners.
In 1909, Zapata’s neighbors
elected him to lead their village’s
board of defense. In this position,
president in 1911, but little changed. Zapata withdrew his support of Madero and resumed his armed struggle for fair distribu tion of land.
Zapata helped draw up the Plan
of Ayala, which reaffirmed the
ideals of the Mexican Revolution.
He became a master of guerrilla tac tics, avoiding direct and dangerous confrontations with the govern
ment’s more powerful army.
As the revolution continued,
Zapata and fellow guerrilla leader
Pancho Villa hoped for an alliance
with moderate politician Venustiano Carranza. However, Carranza, who

the 30-year-old was responsible for voicing the people’s concerns.
Emiliano Zapata
was later elected president, failed to support the land reform policies

Zapata tried to negotiate with landowners for land reform, but he was not successful. Finally, Zapata and his followers formed an army. They took properties from wealthy landowners and distributed them among the workers and peasants.
When liberal reformer Francisco Madero called for free elections in Mexico, dictator Porfirio Díaz resigned. Zapata formed an alliance with Madero, thinking Madero would support land reform. Madero was elected
Questions to Think About presented by the two revolutionaries. Zapata and Villa agreed to fight on for land reform together. Meanwhile, Carranza sent an army to eliminate Villa. Once Villa was defeated, government forces turned to Zapata. The Mexican government set up a meeting with him. When Zapata arrived, he was ambushed and shot to death. Today, Emiliano Zapata is remembered as one of Mexico’s great heroes and a champion of Mexico’s poor.
1. What was the Plan of Ayala?

2. How did Zapata’s motto reflect his goals?

3. Recognize Cause and Effect Why do you think Zapata turned to armed revolt to achieve his goals?

© Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved.
30