Abstract
Statement of Problem
In October 1915, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson granted de facto diplomatic recognition to the government of General Venustiano Carranza in Mexico. Venustiano Carranza assumed responsibility for the safety of the lives of Americans in Mexico. General Francisco "Pancho" Villa fought Carranza for control of northern Mexico. Was the government of Venustiano Carranza able to give effective guarantees for the safety of the lives of Americans in Mexico?
Sources of Data
The sources include U.S. Department of State documents from the National Archives, contemporary newspapers, and the sworn testimony of witnesses.
Conclusions Reached
In at least one instance, the government of Venustiano Carranza was not able to give effective guarantees for the safety of the lives of Americans in Mexico. On January 10, 1916, near Santa Ysabel, Chihuahua, soldiers of Pancho Villa killed eighteen foreign mining men, almost all of whom were Americans.