Setting the Historical StageIn Spanish, cinco de Mayo means "fifth of May." The holiday of Cinco de Mayo, sometimes mistakenly thought of as Mexican Independence Day, may not be as well-known or as widely celebrated as St. Patrick's Day or the Chinese New Year, but it does have an important historical context. Why is this date so important in the history of Mexico?
In the 1850s Mexico entered a period of national crisis. The strong religious and military communities resisted a series of social, political, and economic reforms introduced by the liberal government. The government collapsed, and civil war broke out. Benito Juárez, a former minister of justice, became the country's new president and moved his capital to Veracruz. The conservatives formed a competing government and made their capital in Mexico City.
The United States recognized the Juárez government and encouraged Americans to volunteer and fight for the liberal cause. Spain, France, and Great Britain backed the conservatives. In late 1860, the liberals won a decisive battle in the civil war. The conservative president fled, which paved the way for Juárez's return.
In an effort to rebuild the country's economy, Juárez declared a two-year moratorium on the repayment of foreign debt to the English, French, and Spanish. He promised that after this suspension, payments would resume.
The three European governments reacted aggressively, deciding that getting their money was worth the price of invading Mexico. The countries organized to send a collective military force to Mexico. However, the English and Spanish governments quickly withdrew their contingents over an argument with the French. But the French persisted and prepared to send troops across the Atlantic.
Expanding Empires
Napoleon III, Emperor of France, believed the exiled Mexican conservatives who assured
him that the Mexican populace would support a monarchy and a strong religious state.
Napoleon III intended to create an empire on Mexican soil. With his plans — and
military — in place, he tapped a European prince, Archduke Maximilian of Austria,
to rule his new North American satellite. (The Archduke also happened to be Napoleon's cousin.)
Some historians claim that Napoleon III's desire to occupy Mexico was fueled by his intense dislike for the United States and the Monroe Doctrine. (The Monroe Doctrine stated that the United States would oppose any European invasion into the Americas.) A French stronghold in Mexico would thwart the United States' growing power and strength. Napoleon III shrewdly banked on the fact that the United States, in the midst of its own civil war, would not interfere in the events in Mexico.
With state-of-the-art equipment and the French Foreign Legion at his disposal, Napoleon planned a traditional military assault on the Mexican capital, Mexico City. Once the capital had fallen into French hands, he believed the rest of the country would surrender.
A Surprising Victory
Waiting for the 8,000 French (and rebel Mexican) troops on May 5, 1862, at Puebla, were
about 5,000 Mestizo and Zapotec Indian troops commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza and
Colonel Porfirio Diaz, the commander of the Mexican cavalry. The French general Charles
Latrille Laurencez ordered a frontal assault on Puebla. As Diaz's troops rode to battle
the French, Zaragoza's fighters held their position and forced the French to retreat.
About 1,000 Mexican soldiers died in the battle.
Not to be defeated, Napoleon ordered his troops to wait for reinforcements. In 1863 he sent
30,000 additional troops to Mexico, and once again, Puebla came under siege. The Mexicans
could not hold their ground, and after depleting their ammunition and food, they surrendered
to the French. Maximilian became Napoleon's puppet ruler in Mexico, but his rule was
short-lived. In 1867 Colonel Diaz reclaimed Puebla, bringing an end to Mexico's era of
occupation.
While the initial victory at Puebla on cinco de Mayo was overturned, it remains important in Mexican history for the following reasons:
- It marked the beginning of the end of European occupation in the Americas.
- It filled the Mexicans with pride and paved the way for Juárez's reforms.
- It symbolized the right of the people to defend themselves against a powerful, foreign invader.
Colorful talavera ceramics, candy made from sweet potatoes (camotes), and one of Mexico's tastiest mineral waters are all native to Puebla. Tourists flock to the state's many hot springs and numerous waterfalls. Due to its proximity to Mexico City, Puebla is also important from a commercial and economic standpoint. (The Volkswagen plant in Puebla is one of only two in the world that produces the famous Volkswagen Beetle.)
Geographically, the state of Puebla is situated in Mexico's central tablelands. Its capital, Puebla, is about 180 miles southeast of Mexico City. Puebla is Mexico's fourth largest city.
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- Read about the Popocatépetl Volcano, and then take a look at it in real time. The image is updated every two minutes.
- Read an article about the last eruption, "Scientists: Mexican volcano no longer an immediate threat," from CNN.com.
- Riverdeep's EarthScience Center is an online scientific research center for studying and understanding geophysical and meteorological events that affect Earth. The EarthScience Center features a Volcano Lab which provides opportunities to monitor and study past and current volcanic eruptions.
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Questions? Comments? Write to the editor: editor@riverdeep.net
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A Living History Lesson In the United States, Patriot's Day commemorates the start of the War of Independence. Find out more in this Riverdeep archive article. |
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St. Patrick's Day Learn about St. Patrick and what the holiday in his honor celebrates with this archive article. |
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