Yaqui Uprising facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yaqui Uprising
Part of Yaqui Wars
Uprising of the Yaqui Indians - Yaqui Warriors in Retreat, by Frederic Remington.
Date August 12–14, 1896 Location Nogales, Sonora Nogales, Arizona Result Mexican–American victory Uprising suppressed
Belligerents
Mexico  United States	Yaqui Mexican Revolutionaries
Commanders and leaders
Manuel Mascarena Emilio Kosterlitzky Frank Wheaton	Teresa Urrea Lauro Aguirre Tomas Urrea
Casualties and losses
~3 killed

The Yaqui Uprising, also known as the Nogales Uprising, was a short but important armed conflict. It happened in August 1896, lasting only a few days. The fighting took place in the Mexican state of Sonora and the American state of Arizona.

This uprising was part of a bigger plan to overthrow the Mexican government. It involved Yaqui people and Mexican revolutionaries. They tried to capture a customs building in the border town of Nogales. Both American and Mexican forces worked together to stop the rebels. The uprising ended quickly, making it one of the last events of the American Indian Wars.

Why the Yaqui Uprising Happened

The Yaqui Uprising was caused by people being unhappy with Mexico's President, Porfirio Díaz. He was a strong leader, and many people felt his rules were unfair. He especially had strict policies that affected native groups and their lands.

Long-Standing Conflict with the Yaqui People

For many years before 1896, the Mexican Army and the Yaqui people were often fighting. This long war forced many Yaqui people to move north. They settled in places like Tucson and Phoenix in Arizona. From there, they sometimes crossed the border to fight Mexican soldiers.

A Plan to Change Mexico's Government

President Díaz also controlled the news and didn't like people criticizing him. This made many citizens in Mexico and the United States upset. In southern Arizona, a journalist named Lauro Aguirre started a newspaper called El Independiente.

In February 1896, Aguirre and his partner wrote a plan called Plan Restaurador de Constitucion y Reformista. This plan said that President Díaz had broken the country's laws. It also claimed he was treating native Mexicans badly, even sending some of them far away. The plan called for fair elections and using force to remove Díaz from power. The Yaqui and Pima had long-standing disagreements with Mexico. Because of this, Aguirre easily convinced them to join his cause.

The Uprising Begins

In March 1896, the United States government arrested Aguirre. Mexican officials thought he was planning a revolution. However, an investigation showed he was innocent, and he was set free. The plan to overthrow Díaz was signed by 23 people. One of them was believed to be Tomas Urrea, whose daughter was a well-known revolutionary named Teresa Urrea. Because of her father's connections, some suspected Teresa Urrea was behind the uprising.

The "Teresitas" Attack Nogales

About 60 to 70 Yaqui, Pima, and Mexican revolutionaries formed a group. They called themselves "Teresitas," possibly after Teresa Urrea. Many of them worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Their goal was to attack the Mexican customs house in Nogales. They wanted to take the weapons, ammunition, and money stored there.

Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and Nogales, Arizona, USA, are right next to each other on the border. So, when the Teresitas attacked on August 12, the Mexican consul in Nogales, Manuel Mascarena, asked the Americans for help.

Fighting at the Border

A group of American volunteers quickly formed in Arizona. They went to help fight the rebels. The next day, Frank Wheaton, an American general, sent soldiers from the 24th Infantry Regiment. At least three people died in the fighting, and several were hurt. Other reports say seven Mexicans died, and the Teresitas lost about the same number.

When the rebels retreated, Mexican police chased them. The police caught up later that day and fought another small battle. The Mexican commander was killed in this fight. The day after, a large group of Mexican Army troops joined the chase. They were led by Emilio Kosterlitzky, a colonel. Two companies of American soldiers also searched for the rebels. However, neither group managed to catch the Teresitas. Some of the rebels went back to their homes in southern Arizona. After this, there was no more fighting. The successful defense of Nogales stopped the uprising.

What Happened After the Uprising

After the uprising, Lauro Aguirre kept writing articles that criticized President Díaz. In 1902, he had to leave his home in Mexico. He was afraid Díaz was trying to kidnap him. Aguirre continued writing in the United States. He later tried to take over the city of Ciudad Juárez, but this plan was stopped.

On September 11, 1896, Teresa Urrea publicly said she had nothing to do with the uprising. However, President Porfirio Díaz still blamed her. He pressured the American government to move Urrea from El Paso, Texas to Clifton, Arizona. This moved her away from the busy border area.