ENGLISH 5
WRITING A BIOGRAPHY
ACTIVITY 3.2
David Mendiola
[email protected]
Doroteo Arango
What is this person famous for?
Pancho Villa is famous for being a key revolutionary leader during the Mexican
Revolution (1910–1920) and a champion of social justice for Mexico’s poor and
oppressed. Known for his military prowess, Villa led the División del Norte (Division
of the North) to multiple victories, using innovative tactics that made him a formidable
opponent.
How and when did he become famous?
Pancho Villa became famous in the early 1910s during the Mexican Revolution. His
rise to fame began with his participation in the rebellion against the dictator Porfirio
Díaz in 1910, supporting revolutionary leader Francisco I. Madero. Villa’s dedication
to fighting for the rights of the poor and dispossessed quickly garnered him a large
following, especially in the northern regions of Mexico.
What are his important achievements?
Doroteo Arango, famously known as Pancho Villa, had several significant
achievements during his life, especially related to the Mexican Revolution:
1. Key Revolutionary Leader: Villa became one of the leading figures in the
Mexican Revolution, representing the oppressed and poor. His influence
helped to overthrow the authoritarian regime of Porfirio Díaz, which had
marginalized the lower classes in Mexico.
2. Military Successes: Villa demonstrated exceptional military strategy, winning
critical battles that shifted the course of the revolution. His army, known as
the División del Norte (Division of the North), was well-organized and highly
effective, bringing victories in battles like those in Torreón and Zacatecas.
These victories were pivotal in weakening the Díaz regime and later the
conservative forces of Victoriano Huerta.
3. Land Reforms: Villa distributed land and wealth among the peasantry, which
made him a popular figure among the rural poor. In states like Chihuahua, he
implemented his own land reforms, redistributing hacienda land to peasants,
which aligned with the revolutionary ideals of "Land and Liberty".
4. International Recognition: Villa's actions caught the world's attention,
making him an international symbol of the Mexican Revolution. His raid on
Columbus, New Mexico in 1916, though controversial, was notable for being
the only time in modern history that a foreign army attacked the mainland
United States.
5. Establishment of Social Programs: Villa created various social reforms in
the territories he controlled, such as setting up schools, hospitals, and
improving working conditions. This demonstrated his interest in improving the
lives of ordinary Mexicans and building a foundation for post-revolutionary
Mexico.
Villa’s achievements and his status as a hero among the Mexican people helped
shape modern Mexico’s values on social justice, land reform, and resistance to
oppression.
Biography of Doroteo Arango
Doroteo Arango, better known as Pancho Villa, was born on June 5, 1878, in San
Juan del Río, Durango, Mexico. He was one of the most prominent figures in the
Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) and became a legendary leader in Mexican
history. Coming from a humble background, Villa initially became involved in
revolutionary activities to seek justice for the poor and oppose the repressive regime
of Porfirio Díaz.
Villa was known for his tactical brilliance and his role as a general in the
revolutionary army. He fought under the banner of "Land and Liberty," and his
troops were instrumental in key battles. However, his relationship with other
revolutionary leaders, like Venustiano Carranza, was tumultuous, leading to
internal conflicts within the revolution.
After the revolution, Villa retired in 1920 to his ranch in Canutillo, Durango, under a
peace agreement with the Mexican government. However, he was assassinated on
July 20, 1923, in Parral, Chihuahua, likely due to political motives.
