What was the purpose of the Pershing expedition?

The Pershing Expedition, also known as the Punitive Expedition, was launched in 1916 by the United States under General John J. Pershing to capture the Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa. Villa had attacked the town of Columbus, New Mexico, killing several Americans, and the expedition aimed to assert U.S. military strength and protect American interests in Mexico. Although the expedition did not capture Villa, it marked a significant moment in U.S.-Mexico relations and highlighted the complexities of American involvement in Mexico during that period.