Emiliano Zapata (August 8, 1879-April 9, 1919) was one of the main actors of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 against president Porfirio Díaz.
Today, of many Mexicans regard it as a hero. The EZLN, a peaceful revolutionary movement, especially active in Chiapas, takes as a starting point its work, Z of the initials means Zapatist, i.e. the adjective formed on Zapata.

Zapata was born from mongrel blood in Anenecuilco, small village of the State de Morelos, located at the south of the capital of Mexico.

At the time Mexico was controlled by the general Porfirio Díaz who had seized the capacity in 1876. The agricultural system rested on very great properties, called haciendas, which became increasingly important as the chiefs of the haciendas took grounds at the indigenous communities (see also ejido). Those were often surendettés.

The family of Zapata, even if it were not very rich, did not live in great poverty. At the thirty years age, Emiliano became the chief of its village.

Although it was not completely of indigenous blood (it had Spanish ancestors), Zapata was implied quickly in the combat for the rights of the Indians of the State of Morelos. He was then spectator of many conflicts adverse of the villagers to the chiefs of the haciendas.

During many years, it militated near the villagers for the right to the ground, making pressure near the governor of the State for a redistribution of the grounds. But, afflicted by the inertia of which proof made the authorities, it was armed to take possession of the disputed grounds.

At that time, Porfirio Díaz was threatened by the candidature of Francisco I. Madero. Zapata was combined then in Madero which passed for that which would allow a deep change Mexico.

In 1910, the disorders which the country underwent led to the creation of groups of guerrillas. Zapata quickly had a big role in this movement, it became the general of an army of Morelos (Ejercito Libertador LED On - the army of release of the south).

Zapata was mainly influenced by an anarchist of the north of Mexico, Ricardo Flores Magón. One can see this inspiration in the Zapatist slogan: “Tierra there libertad” (ground and freedom), which was the title of the most famous work of Magón. The recontre of Zapata with anarchism was done via a teacher, Otilio Montano, which presented to Zapata the work of Peter Kropotkin and Flores Magón at the time where Zapata started to take part in the combat of the peasants for their grounds.