Mexican Border War

In response, the United States Army, under the direction of General John J. Pershing, launched a punitive expedition into northern Mexico, to find and capture Villa.

In 1914, the United States occupied Veracruz, aiming to cut off supplies of ammunition from the German Empire to Mexico at the start of World War I.

In exchange, the German Empire wanted Mexico's formal support in anticipation of a hypothetical United States entry into the war in Europe.

Violence was at its highest from 1915 to 1919, in response to the Plan de San Diego by Mexican and Tejano insurgents to conquer Texas.

Tensions were further escalated by the Tampico Affair of 9 April 1914, where nine American sailors landed in a restricted dock area and were subsequently detained for an hour and a half.

Francisco I. Madero challenged Porfirio Díaz in the election, who has been a longtime Mexican president but recently sent the citizens into economic struggles.

Mexican statesman, revolutionary and soon-to-be president Francisco Madero with his troops in 1910
American Magonistas after the First Battle of Tijuana in 1911
Front row, L-R: Mexican Generals Álvaro Obregón and Pancho Villa with American General John J. Pershing . Second row, far right: Pershing aide Lt. (future General) George S. Patton . At Fort Bliss, Texas , 1913.
Columbus, New Mexico , after Pancho Villa's attack on the border town
The expanded United States Army fort at Columbus, New Mexico , a staging area for the Pancho Villa Expedition
American troops of the 16th Infantry rest for the night on 27 May 1916
American infantry in a skirmish line near Deming, New Mexico , in 1916
The 1st Aero Squadron in 1916 which was deployed during the expedition
United States Army troops returning to the U.S. in January 1917
Yaqui prisoners and 10th Cavalry troops on 9 January 1918, after the skirmish in Bear Valley, Arizona