What was the primary objective of Pershing's punitive expedition into Mexico in 1916?

• A. To capture Villa
• B. To establish a permanent border treaty
• C. To block trade routes
• D. To negotiate peace with Mexico

Answer: (A)

The main idea behind this action was to bring Pancho Villa to justice after his raid into U.S. territory. Pershing’s expedition was a military pursuit into northern Mexico aimed specifically at locating and capturing Villa so he could be tried and deter further cross-border attacks.

That focus on capture is why the best answer is to capture Villa. The other options involve diplomatic or economic goals—establishing a border treaty, blocking trade routes, or negotiating peace with Mexico—which aren’t the aim of a punitive military expedition. The mission was about a targeted pursuit of Villa itself, not broad diplomatic settlements.