The Convergence of the Twain summary

Zapatistas were out of place in Mexico City. Zapata was not "anarchist" in the typical sense, he just wanted a very simple life. He was more rural anarchist with "free villages" mentality. He kept intellectuals in their place, in contrast to Villa. He was NOT COMMUNIST. Zapata had 4 problems: 1. Couldn't expand his revolution to Southern Mexico 2. Banditry ruled through the lower ranks 3. On a different page with the other revolutionaries 4. Couldn't see an alliance with Villa Banditry: call for social reform or just outright stealing? Some bandits copied Zapata to look legit. Mexican revolution: collectivism vs. capitalism Extremely hard to define the classes of the revolution. Zapata wasn't against capitalism, but wanted to keep old ways alive and not just live for profits. Zapata didn't want to ally himself with Villa because he had no clear cut goals & was too contradictory and easy to corrupt (or change his goals) Zapata only wanted land reform in Morelas (social) Villa wanted political change and to benefit financially in some way (political) Zapata & Villa met very very few times. Both men made different political statements with their outfits and army garb. Both men agreed they didn't want to be president. Zapata hated politicians, Villa wasn't educated. They wanted a "puppet president" they could control. Villa's position on land reform was vague, whereas land reform is all Zapata was fighting for. Pictures of Villa in the presidential chair convinced the world that Villa was ruler. Zapata left Mexico City ASAP. They agreed to fight Carranza but stay in their own regions. Both Villa & Zapata refusing power led to their downfall. Villa had a strong army without goals, Zapata had goals without enough army. No alliance. Villa's men began to come undone and pillage Mexico City. The people didn't like him anymore. Villa didn't respect the president. People were disillusioned with Villistas. Villa put a hit on Gutierrez because he was plotting with Obregón and Carranza. Tobles tipped him off and he escaped. Gutierrez's "3rd Way" was destroyed. Villa and Zapata couldn't cooperate. Villa was extremely self destructive in 1914.