Lucio Blanco

Lucio Blanco
Lucio Blanco in 1914
Born	(1879-07-21)July 21, 1879
Died	June 1922
Nationality	Mexican
Occupation	Military Officer
Known for	Participation in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920

Lucio Blanco (July 21, 1879 – June 1922) was a Mexican military officer, noteworthy for his participation in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920.

Lucio Blanco was born on July 21, 1879 in Nadadores, Coahuila. He is noted for three major accomplishments. Forces under his command accomplished the first major victory of the Constitutional forces against the Federal forces of General Victoriano Huerta's government by taking the city of Matamoros in June 1913. In August 1913, he became the first revolutionary to distribute hacienda land to the peasantry. In late 1914, he was the driving force of the moderate generals who wished to bring peace between the victorious Constitutional factions who began quarreling among themselves. His efforts resulted in the Convention of Aguascalientes in October 1914.

Lucio Blanco was the son of Bernardo Blanco, and Maria Fuentes, prominent landowners. He attended primary school in Muzquiz, Coahuila, and secondary school in the state capital of Saltillo. He also spent several months in Texas, studying English. He finished his secondary schooling in Monterrey. At the age of twenty, he entered a private college in Torreón. He did not graduate, but returned home to manage this parent’s property in Muzquiz.

Because of family connections, Blanco became a supporter of Francisco Madero, and in the decade before the revolution, helped set up political clubs of Madero supporters in Coahuila. Blanco also became a supporter of the well-known anarchist Ricardo Flores Magón, and in 1906, attempted to join a Flores Magón rebellion. He was dissuaded however, and returned home.

In 1909, he joined the Anti-Reelection Party of Francisco Madero and became active in organizing political rallies. He associated himself with Jesús Carranza, brother of Venustiano Carranza, and when hostilities broke out in late 1910, Blanco joined the forces of Jesús Carranza. With the conclusion of hostilities in May 1911, Blanco took a position within the Ministry of Interior of the interim government. Blanco had political disagreements with the Minister of Interior, and so he left the capital and returned to Coahuila.