Analyzing Primary Sources:
(1) Plan de Ayala
"We who undersign, constituted in a revolutionary junta to sustain and carry out the promises which the revolution of November 20, 1910, just past, made to the country, declare solemnly before the face of the civilized world which judges us and before the nation to which we belong and which we call [sic, love], propositions which we have formulated to end the tyranny which oppresses us and redeem the fatherland from the dictatorships which are imposed on us, which [propositions] are determined in the following plan..."
The image on the left is a copy of the Plan de Ayala in Spanish. Follow this link to a translated version for you to read. After you have read, use both versions to answer the following questions:
1) Who wrote the Plan de Ayala? When? Why do you think it was written?
2) Who is the "we" that Zapata refers to?
3) According to point 7, what do you think are the causes of the revolution? What is the conflict about? Who is the conflict between?
4) According to point 8, what happens to people who oppose Zapata and his plan? Do you agree with his idea?
5) What are the major differences between the Plan de Ayala in the image and the Plan de Ayala that you read? As historians, which document is more reliable?
6) Would everyone be able to read and understand the Plan de Ayala? Can you? Why might this be important?
The image on the left is a copy of the Plan de Ayala in Spanish. Follow this link to a translated version for you to read. After you have read, use both versions to answer the following questions:
1) Who wrote the Plan de Ayala? When? Why do you think it was written?
2) Who is the "we" that Zapata refers to?
3) According to point 7, what do you think are the causes of the revolution? What is the conflict about? Who is the conflict between?
4) According to point 8, what happens to people who oppose Zapata and his plan? Do you agree with his idea?
5) What are the major differences between the Plan de Ayala in the image and the Plan de Ayala that you read? As historians, which document is more reliable?
6) Would everyone be able to read and understand the Plan de Ayala? Can you? Why might this be important?
(2) Zapata Letter
Use the document below to answer the following questions:
1) Who is the letter written to? When?
2) Why do you think Zapata is writing to him?
3) What is the conflict about? Who is it between? Are there any differences between what is in this letter and the Plan de Ayala?
4) What actions have the courts and legislature taken?
5) Why does Zapata reference Hernan Cortes?
6) Why does Zapata say the revolution cannot wait?
7) What does Zapata mean by “A revolution of ideals, not of revenge or retaliation?” How do you think President Wilson or people in the U.S. would relate to this?
1) Who is the letter written to? When?
2) Why do you think Zapata is writing to him?
3) What is the conflict about? Who is it between? Are there any differences between what is in this letter and the Plan de Ayala?
4) What actions have the courts and legislature taken?
5) Why does Zapata reference Hernan Cortes?
6) Why does Zapata say the revolution cannot wait?
7) What does Zapata mean by “A revolution of ideals, not of revenge or retaliation?” How do you think President Wilson or people in the U.S. would relate to this?
(3) Photograph of Zapatistas
Use the image on the left to answer the following questions:
1) When was this picture taken?
2) Are they wearing uniforms?
3) What are the ages of the people in the photo?
4) Are there only men in the photograph?
5) What might your answers to 3, 4 & 5 mean about who were members of the revolution?
6) Why do you think they are taking this picture? What clues do you have?
7) What sticks out most to you in this photograph?
1) When was this picture taken?
2) Are they wearing uniforms?
3) What are the ages of the people in the photo?
4) Are there only men in the photograph?
5) What might your answers to 3, 4 & 5 mean about who were members of the revolution?
6) Why do you think they are taking this picture? What clues do you have?
7) What sticks out most to you in this photograph?