Obregón, Álvaro (äl`värō ōbrāgōn`), 1880–1928, Mexican general and president (1920–24). A planter in Sonora, he supported Francisco I. Madero Madero, Francisco Indalecio (fränsē`skō ēndälā`syō mäthā`rō)
..... Click the link for more information. in the revolution against Porfirio Díaz. In 1913, Obregón joined Venustiano Carranza Carranza, Venustiano (vān
..... Click the link for more information. in the overthrow of Victoriano Huerta and later was commander against the opponents of Carranza, especially Francisco Villa Villa, Francisco (fränsēs`kō vē`yä), c.1877–1923, Mexican revolutionary, nicknamed Pancho Villa.
..... Click the link for more information. . One of the most enlightened generals in the revolution, he was for a time Carranza's minister of war. When the latter attempted to perpetuate himself in power, Obregón promptly led a successful revolt (1920). After the provisional administration of Adolfo de la Huerta Huerta, Adolfo de la (ädôl`fō thā lä wār`tä), c.
..... Click the link for more information. , Obregón became president. The revolutionary program became official during his administration and advanced out of confusion and blood into a recognizable if not thoroughgoing system of agrarian and labor reforms; peonage was still rampant. The most significant achievement of the Obregón regime was the educational program advanced by José Vasconcelos Vasconcelos, José (hōsā` väskōnsā`lōs), 1882–1959, Mexican educator and writer.
..... Click the link for more information. . The United States delay (until 1923) in recognizing his regime was due mainly to proclamations by certain self-styled radicals urging, among other things, the nationalization of oil deposits. Obregón was involved in a long, bitter quarrel with the church. His government was gravely challenged when de la Huerta was persuaded by opponents of Plutarco Elías Calles Calles, Plutarco Elías (pl
..... Click the link for more information. , Obregón's presidential candidate, to lead a revolt (1923–24). In 1928, Obregón was again chosen president, but before taking office he was assassinated by a fanatical Roman Catholic. He wrote Ocho mil kilómetros en campaña (1917), recollections of his campaigns.

Obregón, Álvaro

(born Feb. 19, 1880, Alamos, Mex.—died July 17, 1928, Mexico City) President of Mexico (1920–24). A skillful military leader who fought for the moderate presidents Francisco Madero and Venustiano Carranza during the Mexican Revolution, he was largely responsible for the liberal constitution of 1917. In response to Carranza's increasingly reactionary policies, Obregón took a leading role in the revolt that deposed him and was himself elected president in 1920. He managed to impose relative peace and prosperity on his war-torn country. He was elected again in 1928 but was shot and killed before assuming office.