Background
The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, was used as a chance to end dictatorship in Mexico and established a constitutional republic. This was a time of political and social unrest in Mexican history. It began with efforts to overthrow president Porfirio Diaz. A number of groups, led by revolutionaries including Francisco Madero, Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, contributed in the fight. During the Mexican revolution, both men and women joined together for their cause. These women called, “Soldaderas”, who participated in the conflicts of the Mexican Revolution ranged from commanding officers to combatants, to camp helpers. In the book The Life and Times of Pancho Villa by Friedrich Katz, one quote says, "In …show more content…
(Coerver, p. 472) Although, these female soldiers were rarely compensated. Instead, their payment would be out of the satisfaction of helping, much like a wife helping her family. Even before the Mexican Revolution began, the Soldaderas had been a part of Mexican military for a long time. However, the numbers of Soldaderas increased dramatically with the start of the revolution.
Northern Mexico contained the largest numbers of Soldaderas, where both the Federal Army and the revolutionary armies needed them to help with food and cooking for the soldiers, nurse the wounded, and uphold social unity. Emiliano Zapata led revolutionary soldiers who were mostly peasant farmers in the area of Morelos. His forces were largely defensive and based in small rural villages, less like the organized armies of movement of Northern …show more content…
Jiménez experienced a horrific event when she was only fifteen years old. She observed the attempted rape of her sister by an officer searching for rebels in their home. Her sister was able to defend herself by grabbing the officer’s gun shooting him but she killed herself in the skirmish. (Salas, p. 71) Upon witnessing this tragic event, Jiménez promised her commitment to fighting the federales and joined the rebel armies. Jiménez also used the tactic of disguising herself as a male soldier in order to gain entry into the rebel army. Jiménez served many different roles in the army, including “soldier, flag bearer, an explosives expert, spy, and on occasion, she made sure her fellow soldiers did not go hungry.” (Salas, p. 73) She was a hard working soldier in the revolutionary army, tackling different errands to advance their cause. Despite the fact that her appearances suggested she was a male soldier, Jiménez did not always cover up her look, and many knew her true identity as a female. Because many knew of her true gender including the General of her troops, she had a difficult time gaining appreciation. However, she was eventually granted the title of lieutenant. (Salas, p.
The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, was used as a chance to end dictatorship in Mexico and established a constitutional republic. This was a time of political and social unrest in Mexican history. It began with efforts to overthrow president Porfirio Diaz. A number of groups, led by revolutionaries including Francisco Madero, Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, contributed in the fight. During the Mexican revolution, both men and women joined together for their cause. These women called, “Soldaderas”, who participated in the conflicts of the Mexican Revolution ranged from commanding officers to combatants, to camp helpers. In the book The Life and Times of Pancho Villa by Friedrich Katz, one quote says, "In …show more content…
(Coerver, p. 472) Although, these female soldiers were rarely compensated. Instead, their payment would be out of the satisfaction of helping, much like a wife helping her family. Even before the Mexican Revolution began, the Soldaderas had been a part of Mexican military for a long time. However, the numbers of Soldaderas increased dramatically with the start of the revolution.
Northern Mexico contained the largest numbers of Soldaderas, where both the Federal Army and the revolutionary armies needed them to help with food and cooking for the soldiers, nurse the wounded, and uphold social unity. Emiliano Zapata led revolutionary soldiers who were mostly peasant farmers in the area of Morelos. His forces were largely defensive and based in small rural villages, less like the organized armies of movement of Northern …show more content…
Jiménez experienced a horrific event when she was only fifteen years old. She observed the attempted rape of her sister by an officer searching for rebels in their home. Her sister was able to defend herself by grabbing the officer’s gun shooting him but she killed herself in the skirmish. (Salas, p. 71) Upon witnessing this tragic event, Jiménez promised her commitment to fighting the federales and joined the rebel armies. Jiménez also used the tactic of disguising herself as a male soldier in order to gain entry into the rebel army. Jiménez served many different roles in the army, including “soldier, flag bearer, an explosives expert, spy, and on occasion, she made sure her fellow soldiers did not go hungry.” (Salas, p. 73) She was a hard working soldier in the revolutionary army, tackling different errands to advance their cause. Despite the fact that her appearances suggested she was a male soldier, Jiménez did not always cover up her look, and many knew her true identity as a female. Because many knew of her true gender including the General of her troops, she had a difficult time gaining appreciation. However, she was eventually granted the title of lieutenant. (Salas, p.