If you live in the southwestern part of the United States, chances are you have heard mention of the celebration called “Cinco de Mayo.” The translation of this is simply the fifth of May. Many people mistake the celebration of Cinco de Mayo with Mexico’s independence from Spain which occurred in September of 1810. In reality, Cinco de Mayo celebrates May 5th, 1862, when the Mexicans once again showed their bravery during battle. Festivals and ceremonies take place amongst the Mexican-American communities in honor of this important day. But what exactly happened on that fateful May 5th over a hundred years ago?
Although Mexico had gained its freedom from the Spanish in 1810, it took eleven years for the Spanish to finally leave and for true freedom to finally take hold. Over the next few decades, Mexico would find itself again in the midst of political turmoil during the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Civil War. The economy of Mexico, as you can well imagine, was slipping down the drain. Like most countries who find themselves in war, Mexico found itself in massive debt to other countries including France, Spain and England. The president of Mexico, Benito Juarez, decided that the country’s economy stability was more important than paying off foreign debt. He decided to issue a decree that would put a stop on the paying of foreign debt for two years, while Mexico regained its financial strength.
Naturally, France, Spain and England were not too enthusiastic at the prospect of not getting their money back. For many countries, the 1800s were a time of expansion. Some countries, like France, wanted nothing more than to expand its powerful territory across the world. Since they were not getting their money back, the French, under the rule of Napoleon the Third, decided that adding to its empire would be sufficient payback. Napoleon decided that he would get a family member, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, established as the ruler of Mexico.
The French army came in through Veracruz, off the gulf coast. They began making their way towards Mexico City. A Mexican general known as Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin established a small army of Mexicans who were not armed very well, in comparison to the well-trained and well-armed French army they were to encounter. The Mexican army was considerably smaller with almost two thousand men less. Despite these odds, the Mexican army fought valiantly at the Battle of Puebla and stopped the French invasion. This specific battle and the bravery seen in it by the Mexican underdogs is what Mexican-Americans celebrate to this day every May 5th.
Although the French eventually sent over thirty thousand troops to overthrow the Mexican president and overpower Mexico City, the Battle of Puebla is still seen as a pivotal battle of the war against France. Although Maximilian eventually did become the leader of Mexico for three years, once the United States began offering financial and military assistance to the Mexican army, the French were overthrown once again and Maximilian was murdered.
