Emiliano Zapata, revolutionary general, warlord, supporter of radical land reforms and national icon, was assassinated by Jésus Guajardo in April of 1919. President Venustiano Carranza, Zapata’s rival, was damaged by his association with Zapata’s death and Álvaro Obregón, a hero of the Revolution and former Carranza loyalist who broke with him over his conservative approach to reform, tied himself to Zapata’s legacy and used his sky-high popularity to overthrow Carranza and become President in 1920.
But what if Zapata had lived, or what if his alliance with Pancho Villa had lasted longer? What would Mexico look like in a world where Zapata had successfully resisted Carranza and kept his movement alive outside of his home province of Morelos?
I imagine that in any world where Zapata lived longer that more of the Plan de Ayala would’ve been implemented, meaning more widespread redistribution of haciendas and private property to landless peasants. Beyond that, I’m not sure what would happen.
But what if Zapata had lived, or what if his alliance with Pancho Villa had lasted longer? What would Mexico look like in a world where Zapata had successfully resisted Carranza and kept his movement alive outside of his home province of Morelos?
I imagine that in any world where Zapata lived longer that more of the Plan de Ayala would’ve been implemented, meaning more widespread redistribution of haciendas and private property to landless peasants. Beyond that, I’m not sure what would happen.