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Spanning over two transformative decades of Mexican history, the extraordinary life of Gildardo Magaña intertwined with key facts of the Mexican Revolution.
From his humble beginnings in rural Michoacán to becoming a Zapatista commander, federal army general, governor, and more, Magaña left an indelible mark on the course of the Revolution and postwar era.
As this overview will relate through examining salient Gildardo Magaña facts, his tireless leadership and evolving politicking cemented his legacy as one of the conflict’s most influential figures.
Gildardo Magaña Cerda entered this world on March 7th, 1891 in the city of Zamora, located in the central Mexican state of Michoacán.
Following his initial studies at the Diocesan Seminary of his hometown, he continued his education at the Temple College of Philadelphia, where he pursued courses in the commercial trades.
Upon returning to Mexico, the experiences and ideas gained from his time abroad would inform his future involvement in the epoch-defining Mexican Revolution.
In May 1911, Gildardo Magaña joined Emiliano Zapata's revolutionary movement and took part in the group's siege of Cuautla.
Impressed by Magaña's skills and dedication during this battle, Zapata appointed him to the rank of lieutenant colonel in his rebel army that same month.
This appointment marked the beginning of Magaña's rise to greater leadership roles over the course of the Mexican Revolution.
In 1912, while undertaking political work for the Zapatistas, Gildardo Magaña was captured and sent to prison, where he encountered Francisco Villa, who was also imprisoned at the time.
During their shared confinement, Magaña taught Villa to read and write, while also explaining the Plan of Ayala and the core ideals of the agrarian, Zapatista movement to the future Revolutionary general.
This fateful meeting marked the beginning of an alliance between Villa and the Zapatistas in their fight against Huerta.
From March 13 to June 10, 1915, Gildardo Magaña held the governorship of Mexico City during the brief interim regime of Roque González Garza.
Stepping into this prominent political role afforded Magaña the opportunity to implement Zapatista policies in the nation's capital near the height of their Revolutionary influence.
However, his tenure would prove short-lived, as the instability of the Revolution continued to bring rapid turnover in leadership positions.
From March 2 to April 5, 1916, Gildardo Magaña served as Minister of Governance on the Government Council of the Convention of Aguascalientes.
In this role, the influential Zapatista commander assisted in the administration of the alliance of generals attempting to resolve the Mexican Revolution's civil wars.
However, political tensions at the convention resulted in Magaña's ministerial tenure lasting just over a month.
In 1919, following the death of the movement's storied leader Emiliano Zapata, Gildardo Magaña was selected by top Zapatista commanders to assume control of the Liberation Army of the South.
Though not a native leader from Morelos, Magaña had proven his military mettle and political shrewdness over the years of Revolutionary warfare.
This appointment positioned Magaña to steer the Zapatista cause in the aftermath of their seminal leader's demise.
In 1920, after Álvaro Obregón's Plan of Agua Prieta triumph, Gildardo Magaña and his Zapatista troops were integrated into the Mexican Army as two new divisions.
Magaña was granted the rank of Division General and given command of the Second Southern Division, while fellow Zapatista Genovevo de la O headed the First Division.
This military unification brought the Zapatista army into the federal fold, with seasoned commanders like Magaña helping direct its Revolutionary energies.
In 1923, Gildardo Magaña organized a peasant force to combat the Delahuertista rebels who challenged the post-Revolutionary government.
Drawing on his Zapatista background in rallying rural fighters, Magaña helped federal authorities suppress armed resistance in outlying areas.
His counter-rebel campaigns demonstrated his continuing influence over the agrarian masses even after the Zapatistas' dissolution.
He served as governor of Michoacán from 1936 until his death in 1939 while still in office.
Gildardo Magaña was elected governor of his home state of Michoacán in 1936, assuming power during a period of post-Revolutionary consolidation in Mexico.
Though his tenure was cut short by his death in 1939, Magaña continued serving as Michoacán's governor until the very end, dying while still in office after just three years.
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