Battle of Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, across the border from El Paso, Texas
What happened
Revolutionary forces of Francisco Madero, led in the attack by Pascual Orozco and Pancho Villa, fought federal troops of President Porfirio Díaz under General Juan Navarro. In 1910 Madero called for a revolution against the long rule of Porfirio Díaz. In May 1911 his rebels, against Madero's orders, attacked the border city of Ciudad Juárez, cutting its water, power and telegraph lines. After two days of street fighting, the federal general surrendered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The fall of the city convinced Díaz that he could not win. Days later he signed the Treaty of Ciudad Juárez and resigned, ending the first stage of the Mexican Revolution.
What came next
Madero became president in November 1911. He was overthrown and killed in a coup in February 1913, and the revolution continued.
Timeline
- 20 November 1910Madero's call to revolution begins.
- 8-10 May 1911The rebels capture Ciudad Juárez.
- 21 May 1911The Treaty of Ciudad Juárez is signed.
- 6 November 1911Madero becomes president.
- 22 February 1913Madero falls after a coup.