The Centaur of the North
Pancho Villa is a cultural and national hero in Mexico. He was born a peasant in northern Mexico. After his sister was assaulted, Villa killed the man that attacked her. He fled into the mountains and became a bandit.
During the late 1800s, Mexico was a state in turmoil. Different groups were fighting to gain control of the country. A general named Huerta seized control of Mexico in a political coup and had Villa’s leader assassinated. After his mentor was killed, Villa joined the revolution against Huerta.
After many battles and years of fighting, Villa managed to gain control of most of northern Mexico, where he became a governor of the people as well as a general of the army. In Mexico, this position was known as a caudillo, a word that means “chief.” As a caudillo, Villa was regarded as a strict and fierce leader, but a fair one. The people loved him.
After Mexican independence, Villa retired to a hacienda the government gave him in gratitude for his years of service to independence. Because of his popularity with the common people, Villa was hated by many powerful men and women, as well as several presidents of the United States. He became a celebrity, and several movies were made about him during and after his lifetime. In 1923, while driving home from a doctor’s appointment, Villa was ambushed and gunned down by masked men. Despite his murder, he is still very much loved by the people of Mexico.
1
Which question is answered by the third paragraph of the article?
A.
Which battles did Pancho Villa win?
B.
How was Pancho Villa as a leader?
C.
Who else was known as a caudillo?
D.
What cities are in northern Mexico?