The capture of Zacatecas marked a significant juncture in the ongoing Mexican Revolution, highlighting the shifting balance of power in favor of revolutionary leaders like Pancho Villa. In June 1914, Villa’s Division of the North gathered vast numbers of supporters and equipped forces to lay siege to the city, which was heavily defended by Victoriano Huerta's troops. The confrontation was characterized by intense fighting, with Villa employing innovative military tactics and strategies that played to the strengths of his cavalry and the local revolutionary spirit.

Zacatecas was not only a strategic military objective due to its geographic location but also its wealth from silver mining, which had economically buoyed Mexico for generations. Taking the city meant that Villa was cutting off Huerta’s financial resources while simultaneously boosting his own. The battle began with coordinated attacks from various fronts, utilizing Villa's ability to inspire local populations and the growing discontent with Huerta’s regime.

By overcoming Huerta’s defenses, Villa established his credibility as a leader of the revolution, which attracted additional support from previously neutral factions. This victory reverberated throughout Mexico, increasing revolutionary momentum and further destabilizing Huerta's already weakened government as it sought to quell dissent and manage dwindling resources. The dynamics of the conflict shifted, with Villa's campaign against Huerta gaining numerous followers and emboldening the movement for deeper political reforms across the country.