What happened at the Convention of Aguascalientes in 1914?

The Convention of Aguascalientes, held in 1914, was a pivotal assembly of revolutionary leaders during the Mexican Revolution. Following the exile of the dictator Victoriano Huerta in July 1914, Venustiano Carranza declared himself president, a move that faced significant opposition from other revolutionary factions.1

In an attempt to resolve the growing political instability and the rivalry between Carranza and Pancho Villa, a convention was organized. Although initially called by Carranza to meet in Mexico City, the assembly was moved to Aguascalientes to accommodate the concerns of Villa, who viewed the capital as enemy territory.2

At the convention, the forces of Villa and Emiliano Zapata formed a majority. The delegates concluded that the conflict between Carranza and Villa made orderly governance impossible and subsequently elected Eulalio Gutiérrez as the interim president. Carranza rejected the convention's decision and relocated his government to Veracruz, leading to a new phase of civil war between the moderates (Carrancistas) and the revolutionary Conventionists.12