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Mexico's Debt
In the early 1800's and when Benito Juárez became the president of Mexico in 1861, Mexico was in a great debt to Spain, Britain, and France. That year, Benito Juárez declared that Mexico would not be paying back their debts for a brief time. So, all three countries sent their forces in to the Mexican city of Veracruz and demand their debts be paid. -
France's Plans
By April of 1862, Spain and Britain had negotiated with Mexico and removed their forces from the country. However, France had plans to use Mexico as a place to build a Latin empire that would benefit France. With the Civil War going on in the U.S., Napoleon III, the leader of France at the time, realized he could also use Mexico as a base to support the Confederate cause. The French supporting the Confederacy could have ultimatley led to the American Union breaking up. -
The Battle of Puebla
The French, confident that they would have an easy victory, stormed into Puebla with over 6,000 troops under the command of General Charles Latrille de Lorencez. Juárez, who had been forced into retreat, gathered a team of 2,000 troops, who were very under-supplied and had the odds stacked against them. They fought, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, and drove out the French. They had lost about 500 soldiers, while less than 100 Mexicans had been killed. -
Maximilian's Reign
June 10th, 1864 was the day that Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph was crowned emperor of Mexico. He was told that the people there had elected him to be their king, but it was really the result of French plans to collect their debt and build an empire in Mexico. He ruled over Mexico until 1868 when he was executed by Benito Juárez's forces. -
American Influence
On June 2nd, 1865, the American Civil War ended. America remained neutral during the war on the issue between France and Mexico because Lincoln, the U.S. president, knew the Union could not fight France and the Confederacy at the same time. Once the war ended, America began to provide military support and put pressure on France to withdraw from Mexico. -
France's Withdrawl
About six years after the Battle of Puebla, the French finally withdrew their forces from Mexico and ceased their efforts to create an empire. Both the U.S. support and relentless fighting of the Mexican people contributed to this. The Battle of Puebla was not a very significant victory in the grand scheme of the war, but it was symbolic for how Mexicans will fight for their independce. The win definitley boosted Mexican morale and helped them to keep fighting for the rest of the war. -
Cinco de Mayo
Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in both America and Mexico. The day celebrates the victory of the Mexicans, honors those who gave their lives in order to fight for independence, and also to take pride in Mexican heritage and culture. This day is mainly celebrated by those who live in Puebla in Mexico with reenactments of the battle, parades, and other festivities. In America, it is celebrated with parades, parties, and traditional Mexican food and music. -
