Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza was the Constitutionalist faction leader who ultimately emerged victorious from the Mexican Revolution, convening the Constitutional Convention of 1917 that produced Mexico's radical new constitution. A wealthy senator and governor of Coahuila, he joined the revolution after Madero's assassination and refused to recognize Huerta. His Constitutionalist Army, with generals Obregón and Villa, defeated Huerta by August 1914. The Convention of Aguascalientes (1914) then split the revolution: Zapata and Villa against Carranza and Obregón. Obregón's modern tactical innovations — using machine guns, trenches, and barbed wire in the style of WWI — crushed Villa's cavalry charges at the Battle of Celaya (1915). Carranza's presidency produced the 1917 Constitution, the most radical governing document of its era, though he resisted implementing its land reform provisions. He attempted to install a puppet successor in 1920, was overthrown by the Agua Prieta revolt, and was assassinated while fleeing to Veracruz. His death ended the revolutionary decade and passed power to the Sonoran Dynasty (Obregón, Calles) that institutionalized the revolution.
- Lived: 1859 CE – 1920 CE
- Nationality: mexican
- Roles: president, revolutionary, head_of_state, politician
