[marktwain]

Historians have long debated the reason for Villa’s attack. University of Houston history professor José Ángel Hernández said it came as Mexico was locked in a violent civil war. Villa felt betrayed by President Woodrow Wilson, who Villa believed would recognize his rebel government, Hernández said.

It is pretty clear Woodrow Wilson was trying to play kingmaker among the Mexican factions.

Wilson seems to have promised Villa support, then reneged on the promise.

Wilson is one of the worst US Presidents, ever.

[DesertRhino]

Not just that Wilson was playing favorites. Villa had the Mexican Army pinned into a 180 perimeter at Agua Prieta, with their backs up against the US border. Douglas Arizona was behind them.

Villa’s victory was certain. Wilson let the Mexican Army cross into Texas at Eagle Pass and board trains. They were transported by rail across Texas, New Mexico and into Douglas Arizona. The station was less than a mile from the border. The Mexican Army marched down the street in Douglas and crossed the border over into Mexico and into the perimeter. They brought ammo, artillery and machine guns.
The reinforced Mexican army gave Villa a bad defeat and he lost a lot of men.

Villa decided that if both sides of the border were in play for the Mexican Army, he would not worry much about the border either.
So he hit Columbus in a night raid. The US Army base in town fought back well and hard.

That was the first US Army combat use of the 1911 45 automatic.

Another thing about Villa. He was one of the very few that never tried to gain political power after the fight. He always fought, then went back home. Interesting guy of his time.

[SaveFerris]

[Woodrow Wilson was trying to play kingmaker]

That always works out so well.

I am reminded of John McCain, Hillary and Barack and “the Arab Spring”.....