Junta de defensa

     Returning from an involuntary stint in the Mexican Army, Zapata would, for the third time in his life, return home to disarray. The Hospital Hacienda, a thorn in the back of the Pueblos in Morelos, had seized much of Anenecuilco's fields. Zapata, perhaps taking advantage of the turbulent situation in the north, had been using his steadily growing group of supporters to readdress land boundaries within the state.  Many fences and walls were removed and land that had been previously cordoned off was distributed equally amongst the pueblos.  Though initially unconcerned with Madero and his cries for revolution, Zapata would, after reading the Plan de San Luis Potosi, agree to send Torres Burgos, a prominent leader amongst the pueblos, to seek an audience with Madero in order to gauge the latter’s sincerity towards the idea of land reform and redistribution and plan of action.  

       Returning in March, 1911, Burgos would bring word that Madero had designated Patricio Leyva, the failed gubernatorial candidate, as leader of the revolution in Morelos.  Leyva would turn down this appointment, leaving Torres to assume the mantle of leadership himself.  The first actions of the Morelos revolt would occur on the night of March 11, 1911, when, armed with worn out shotguns, machetes, a staunch determination, a ragtag group of men were able to disarm the local police force, facilitating the seizure of the town square of the Villa de Ayala.   This swift initial victory saw a massive influx of new recruits into the Burgos militia.  Unfortunately, as the fires of revolution spread throughout southern Mexico, insubordination and unethical conduct on the part of many rebel soldiers would see Burgos step away from the movement, leaving Zapata to fill the void left in his absence.

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