At length, in February, 1913, came the blow that put an end to all of Madero's efforts and aspirations.

A military uprising in the city of Mexico made him prisoner, forced him to resign, and set up a provisional government under the dictatorship of Victoriano Huerta, one of his chief lieutenants.

Two weeks later both Madero and the Vice President were assassinated while on their way supposedly to a place of safety.
Huerta was a rough soldier of Indian origin, possessed of unusual force of character and strength of will, ruthless, cunning, and in bearing alternately dignified and vulgar.

A scientifico in political faith, he was disposed to restore the Diaz regime, so far as an application of shrewdness and force could make it possible.

But from the outset he found an obstacle confronting him that he could not surmount.