Carranza, Venustiano, << kahr RAHN sah or kuh RAN zuh, `vay` noos TYAH noh >> (1859-1920), became Mexico’s “First Chief” in 1914, after leading a revolt against the government of Victoriano Huerta. By late 1915, his supporters had largely defeated the forces of several rival revolutionary leaders. In 1916, Carranza called a congress to prepare Mexico’s present constitution, which was adopted in 1917. Carranza then became Mexico’s president. On May 20 or 21, 1920, Carranza was killed during a revolt led by General Álvaro Obregón.
Carranza was born on Dec. 29, 1859, in Cuatrocienegas, in the Mexican state of Coahuila. Before he became president, he served in the Mexican Senate and as governor of Coahuila. He supported rebel leader Francisco Madero in the Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910.
See also Mexican Revolution of 1910 ; Mexico (The Constitution of 1917) .
