In 1910, a rebellion broke out under the leadership of Francisco I. Madero, who had lost a rigged election when he ran against Profirio Diaz for the nation's presidency. He soon attracted help from both inside Mexico and out, including a lot of foreign idealists and soldiers of fortune.

An early supporter was Pascual Orozco, whose rebel bands were known as the "Colorados" because they fought under the red flag. There were also bands of Americans and other foreigners fighting with Madero. Orozco was made the commander of rebel forces, but later betrayed Madero and Villa was one of the leaders charged with fighting his rebellion.

Bandit groups had fought against landowners who treated their farming and ranching workers like slaves: these workers, known as "peons", were encouraged to join the rebellion. One of these bandits was Francisco "Pancho" Villa - whose real name was Doroteo Arango - who had become an outlaw after shooting the son of his master on the plantation, or "hacienda", where he had grown up.

Villa was almost shot for insubordination early in his career as a military leader, but was rescued literally seconds before his execution - as he stood there in front of the firing squad - after a rider arrived with a pardon and reprieve from Madero himself.