Leader of the conservative faction or Constitutionalists during the Mexican Revolution. Venustiano Carranza (1859-1920) was leader of the conservative faction or "Constitutionalists" during the Mexican Revolution. Carranza was bitterly opposed by Zapata's peasant Army of the South and Pancho Villa in the North. Although the 1917 Constitution, which included many guarantees and reform measures for workers and small farmers was passed during his presidency, Carranza opposed most of the social provisions.