Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for Mexican culture and history. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Althougth the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention.

Cinco de Mayo's history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. With this war, Mexico entered a period of national crisis during the 1850's. Years of not only fighting the Americans but also a Civil War had left Mexico devastated and bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a brief period of two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.

The English, Spanish and French refused to allow president Juarez to do this, and instead decided to invade Mexico and get payments by whatever means necessary. The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave. Their intention was to create an Empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some have argued that the true French occupation was a response to growing American power and to the Monroe Doctrine (America for the Americans). Napoleon III believed that if the United States was allowed to prosper, it would eventually become a power in and of itself.

In 1862, the French army began its advance. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla" on the fifth of May.

In the United States, the Batalla de Puebla came to be known as simply Cinco de Mayo and many people wrongly equate it with Mexican Independence which was on September 16, 1810, nearly a fifty year difference. Over the years, Cinco de Mayo has become a holiday that many people see as a time for fun and dance. Cinco de Mayo has become more of Mexican American holiday than a Mexican one as Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on a much larger scale here in the United States than it is <http://qqq.com/mexico/fiestas.html>celebrated in Mexico. People of Mexican descent in the United States celebrate this significant day with parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other types of festive activities.

Artist Ibsen Espada was featured in the Hispanic Art U.S., Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

 

 

A symbol for right of nations to self-determination
Chronicle editorial: Cinco de Mayo:
http://www.chron.com/content/chronicle/editorial/96/05/05/edit4.html

Today, Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for the 5th of May, marks the victory in 1862 of the Mexican army, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza, over French troops at the Battle of Puebla. The day will be observed by Mexican-Americans in states from Texas to California and in Mexico with celebrations and school programs, but a short history lesson may be instructive for others:

The decades following the United States' war with Mexico (1846-48) found Mexico in a state of economic crisis. Mexican President Benito Juarez announced that the nation would suspend debt repayments to the English, Spanish and French. The English and Spanish backed off, but the French began an occupation of Mexico.

The Battle of Puebla, though it ended in defeat for the French, did not mean triumph for the Mexicans. The French eventually captured Puebla, marched on to Mexico City and ruled until 1867.

But the Cinco de Mayo battle was important for several reasons. The victory demonstrated to ordinary Mexican citizens that they could repel superior fighting power. It instilled national pride, improved the international stature of President Juarez and discouraged further American and European invasions of Mexico and Latin America.

For Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of cultural pride and a show of respect for the rights of people everywhere to enjoy in the fruits of self-determination. That spirit is sure to be strong in Houston at the Cinco de Mayo East End Spring Festival at Guadalupe Plaza Park and in other celebrations of the day.

Our Sinclair Community College morning and evening Spanish 103 students researched this historical event as a class project. Cinco de mayo de 1862 - La Batalla de Puebla
http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/spa5may.htm

Puebla - El Templo de San Agustín
The 5th of May is celebrated in the United States among the Mexican-American population, especially in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Various Mexican-American societies use the celebrations to commemorate the overthrow of the Mexican Imperial Monarchy headed by Maximilian of Austria. The Imperial Monarchy was imposed from 1864 to 1867 on Mexico by Napoleon III, Emperor of France (nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) and the Mexican conservatives "Club de Notables".	Los mexicano-americanos celebran el 5 de mayo, especialmente en los estados de California, Arizona, Nuevo México y Texas. Los habitantes de estos estados tuvieron una participación muy importante y contribuyeron al derrocamiento del Imperio de Maximiliano de Habsburgo (de Austria). La Monarquía Imperial fue impuesta desde 1864 hasta 1867 en México por Napoleón III Emperador de Francia (sobrino de Napoleón Bonaparte) y por el grupo conservador mexicano del "Club de Notables".
The Mexican-American societies were formed after the Mexican-American war (1846-1848) in response to atrocities committed by US. troops occupying the lands annexed by the US. following the war. The war was settled by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with fifteen million dollars in payment for the annexed lands. The societies originally consisted of home guard units but evolved into social societies as stability returned to the US Southwest. These societies contributed large amounts of material and money to the Mexican Constitutional Government in its fight against the Mexican Imperial Monarchy.	Estas sociedades mexicano-norteamericanas se formaron después de la guerra contra México (1846-1848) como respuesta a las atrocidades cometidas por las tropas americanas que ocuparon las tierras anexadas por los Estados Unidos de América al terminar la guerra. La distribución de estas tierras fueron de acuerdo con el Tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo y con el pago de ($15,000,000.00) quince millones de dólares. Estas sociedades establecieron una guardia de vigilantes, con la finalidad de proteger sus hogares hasta que el orden se estableció en la parte suroeste de los Estados Unidos. Entonces se volvieron en sociedades de tipo social. Fueron estas sociedades las que contribuyeron en gran parte con financiamiento para el Gobierno Constitucional Mexicano en su lucha contra la Monarquía Imperial Mexicana.
In 1858, Benito Juárez was elected President of the United States of Mexico to defend the Mexican Constitution established on February 5th, 1857. After much internal struggle, Juárez was re-elected in 1861. Because of financial instability, mainly due to the Mexican-American war, the Mexican Congress suspended foreign debt repayment for two years.	En 1858, Benito Juárez fue elegido Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos para defender la Constitución establecida el 5 de febrero de 1857. Después de varias luchas internas, Juárez fue reelecto en 1861. Debido a la inestabilidad financiera, causada por la guerra mexicano-americana, el Congreso Mexicano acordó suspender los pagos de la deuda exterior durante dos años.
The creditors in Europe (England, Spain and France) decided intervention was needed to collect the debts. Unbeknownst to the other two, France had its own agenda. France wanted to dispose of the Mexican Constitutional Government and set up a monarchy favorable to France. Napoleon III, Emperor of the Second French Empire had grandiose plans to impose a monarchical government upon the nations of Central and South America. This was to provide raw materials and trade for the European nations as well as check the growing power of the US Republic following the annexation of California, Arizona and New Mexico.	Los acreedores en Europa (Inglaterra, España y Francia) decidieron que la intervención sería la mejor manera de cobrarse la deuda. Francia tenía su propia agenda, la cual era desconocida por Inglaterra y España. Napoleón III, Emperador del Segundo Imperio Francés quería establecer una monarquía favorable para Francia, y asimismo, quería disolver el Gobierno Constitucional Mexicano. Sus planes de grandiosidad consistían en extender esta monarquía hasta Centro y Sudamérica para proveer de materia prima y comercio a Europa y al mismo tiempo estar cerca de la República de los Estados Unidos la cual crecía en poder después de anexar California, Nuevo México y Arizona.
France's designs were formented and abetted by the plutocratic and conservative land owners of Mexico who feared loss of land and political power to the newly elected constitutional government of Benito Juárez. On December 8th, 1861 the European powers landed and occupied Veracruz, Spain arrived first. By April 11, 1862 after realizing France's intent, England and Spain withdrew their support.	Los designios descabellados de Francia fueron fomentados y confabulados por los terratenientes plutocráticos y los conservadores de México que temían perder su poderío y sus tierras al nuevo gobierno constitucional del Presidente Juárez. El 8 de diciembre de 1861, los poderes europeos desembarcaron en el Puerto de Veracruz y lo ocuparon, siendo España la primera en llegar. Para el 11 de abril de 1862 España e Inglaterra se enteraron de las intenciones de Francia y abandonaron su apoyo embarcándose hacia Europa.
Meanwhile, in Mexico City, President Juárez (a full blooded Zapotec Indian, and a lawyer who had studied to become a priest), was taking countermeasures: "There is no help but in defense but I can assure you... the Imperial Government will not succeed in subduing the Mexicans, and its armies will not have a single day of peace... we must stop them, not only for our country but for the respect of the sovereignty of the nations"(1). Juarez declared martial law and declared all areas occupied by the French in a state of siege.	Mientras tanto, en la ciudad de México, el Presidente Juárez (indio zapoteca que se había licenciado como abogado y había estudiado para el sacerdocio) tomaba medidas para contrarrestar la invasión: "El gobierno de la República...en vista de la declaración de los plenipotenciarios franceses, no puede ni debe hacer otra cosa que rechazar la fuerza con la fuerza y defender a la nación de la agresión injusta con la que se la amenaza. ...Tengamos fe en la justicia de nuestra causa... haciendo triunfar no sólo a nuestra patria, sino a los principios de respeto y de inviolabilidad de la soberanía de las naciones" (1). El Presidente Juárez declaró la ley marcial en todas las áreas ocupadas por los franceses en estado de sitio.
After reinforcements arrived, a French force of (7,000) seven thousand set out on the (225) two hundred twenty five mile route to Mexico City in early April under the illusion that the Mexican people would welcome them. This illusion was fostered by Juan N. Almonte, a Mexican reactionary, and by Count Dubois du Saligny appointed French Ambassador to Mexico by Napoleon. Presidente Juárez commanded General Ignacio Zaragoza to block the advance of the French Army with 2,000 soldiers at the fortified hills of Loreto and Guadalupe by the city of Puebla.	Cuando llegaron las tropas de refuerzo francesas, el ejército se componía de (7.000) siete mil soldados que salieron en la ruta de (225) doscientas veinticinco millas hacia la ciudad de México a principios de abril con la ilusión de que los mexicanos les darían la bienvenida. Esta ilusión fue nutrida por Juan N. Almonte, un reaccionario mexicano, y por el Conde Dubois de Saligny, el embajador francés, nombrador por Napoleón. El Presidente Juárez le dió la orden al General Ignacio Zaragoza de detener el avance de las fuerzas armadas francesas en los fuertes de Loreto y Guadalupe cerca de la ciudad de Puebla. Zaragoza contaba con sólo (2,000) dos mil hombres
On May 5th, 1862, cannons boomed and rifle shots rang out as the French soldiers attacked the two forts. Before the day was over, one fort was in ruins and more than a thousand French soldiers were dead. The Mexicans had won the battle, but not the war. Yet, this date was established as symbolic of the Mexicans' courage against a formidable army.	El 5 de mayo de 1862, los cañones resonaron y los rifles dispararon y más de (1,000) mil soldados franceses cayeron muertos. Los mexicanos habían ganado la batalla, pero no la guerra. Sin embargo, esta fecha es la que simboliza el valor mexicano ante una armada tan formidable
In June 1864, Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife Charlotte arrived in Mexico City as the crowned Emperor of the newly formed Mexican Empire. Although Maximilian organized the administration, liberated the Indians from servitude, and developed the natural resources of the country, he was unable to avoid the opposition of the Mexican patriots. The republicans, led by Benito Juárez, did not accept the foreign intervention. They went north and requested assistance from the Californians and other Mexican-American societies to help them with volunteers and financial support.	Para junio de 1864, Maximiliano de Habsburgo y su esposa Carlota (austriacos) llegaron a la ciudad de México para tomar posesión del recién formado Imperio Mexicano y fueron coronados como el Emperador y la Emperatriz de México. Aunque Maximiliano organizó la administración del gobierno, liberó a los indios de la esclavitud, y desarrolló los recursos naturales del país, no pudo evitar la oposición de los patriotas mexicanos. Los republicanos, al mando de Benito Juárez, no aceptaron la intervención extranjera. Se refugiaron en el norte del país y les pidieron ayuda a los californianos y a otras sociedades mexicano-norteamericanas con financiamiento y voluntarios para la lucha.
Finally, Maximilian was overthrown and captured on May 15, 1867, tried by court martial, and executed by firing squad on June 19 at the Cerro de las Campanas along with his generals Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejía.	Finalmente, Maximiliano fue derrotado y capturado el 15 de mayo de 1867; fue juzgado por una corte marcial y ejecutado por una escuadra de fusilamiento el 19 de junio en el Cerro de las Campanas con sus generales Miguel Miramón y Tomás Mejía.
The 5 de Mayo is a Mexican national holiday. The battlefield is now a park in Puebla with a statue of General Zaragoza riding horseback. One of the forts is a war museum with a display of hundreds of toy soldiers set up to show what had happened that day. But it is in the United States of America where the celebration is more festive consisting of parades, music, folklore, dances and food. These festivities are mainly fund raising events and for solidarity among the Mexican-Americans.	El 5 de mayo es una fiesta nacional mexicana. El campo de batalla es ahora un parque en Puebla con la estatua del General Zaragoza montado a caballo. Uno de los fuertes es ahora un museo de historia que describe a escala con soldados de juguete lo ocurrido durante la Batalla de Puebla. Pero es en los Estados Unidos de América donde se celebra de una forma más festiva con desfiles, música, bailes folclóricos y comida. Estas festividades son para recaudar fondos para obras benéficas y como demonstración de la solidaridad que existe entre los mexicano-norteamericanos.
B I B L I O G R A P H Y Adams, Nicholson B. The Heritage of Spain, 1983. Cadenhead, I. E. Jr., Benito Juarez. New York: Wayne Publication, Inc. 1993 Hanna, Alfred and Kathryn. Napoleon III and Mexico. Harding, Bertita Lonarz de. Phantom Crown Mexico: Ediciones Tolteca, S. A., 1967. Ludwig, Emil. Napoleon O'Commor, Richard. The Cactus Throne. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 1971 Riva Palacio, D. Vicente. Mexico a traves de los siglos. Tomo V. Mexico: Ballesca y Comp. Editores, ? Ruiz, Ramon Eduardo. Triumphs and Tragedy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. 1992. Tyrner -Tyrnaner, A.R. Lincoln and the Emperors. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1962 American Encyclopedia Enciclopedia Barsa. Buenos Aires, Chicago, Mexico: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1970 Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Encyclopedia Hispanica. Volume M Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, Compton's NewMedia, Inc. Version 2.00 VW 1994. mendoza-grado@att.com or rjsalvad@iastate.edu. What do Mexicans celebrate on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

 

The Significance of "Cinco de Mayo"

© 1996 Ignacio González .
http://home.earthlink.net/~topnach/Cinco.html

 The Mexican holiday known as "Cinco de Mayo" is widely misconstrued in this country, even by people of Mexican descent.  Other people do not seem to care about the origin and cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo, they simply see it as an opportunity to go out and get drunk on Mexican beer at reduced prices. Despite its commercialization, this holiday is of importance to many people.  This writing will attempt to clarify the meaning of this holiday and return some significance to a day that has lost most of it to the advertisement industry of this country.

    The biggest misconception about Cinco de Mayo is that it commemorates of México's Independence Day.  That holiday is, in fact, celebrated on September 16.  On that date back in 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo issued a proclamation known as "El Grito de Dolores" that united the many different rebellions going on against Spain into one cohesive struggle.  México achieved its independence from Spanish rule in 1821.  Cinco de Mayo is actually a commemoration of a victory by Mexican troops in La Batalla de Puebla more that fifty years later, on May 5, 1862.

    From the time of Mexican Independence in 1821 to the time of this battle in 1862, México suffered numerous setbacks in its attempts to form a stable republic, and endured several incursions into its sovereignty as an independent nation.  Fifteen years into its independence, Texas seceded from México. The Texas Revolt was led by "American-Mexicans," Anglos who immigrated from the United States to México, promising to obey Mexican laws and respect Mexican traditions.  This revolt eventually led to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), a war won by the U. S.  As a result, México was forced to surrender approximately half of its territory to the U. S.  México, which had never been financially stable, underwent a severe economic crisis during the 1850s.

    President Benito Juárez inherited México's troubled political and financial situation, which included a bankrupt Mexican treasury. As a result of these problems, President Juárez issued a moratorium in 1861 halting payments on Mexican foreign debt. Much of this debt was owed to France. Shortly thereafter, France sent troops to México to secure payment of its debt.

    At the time, the French Army of Napoleon III was considered the premier army in the world. It had enjoyed recent victories throughout Europe and Asia. The French expected to march form the port city of Veracruz to Mexico City without encountering much resistance. President Juárez sent troops, under the command of General Ignacio Zaragosa, to Puebla to confront the French. The Mexican troops consisted almost entirely of indigenous soldiers, much like today. General Zaragosa's troops, outnumbered 4,700 to 5,200, were severely under-equipped.  La Batalla de Puebla raged on for two hours, after which time the French were forced to retreat to Orizaba. Despite tremendous odds, the humble Mexican Army defeated the most powerful fighting unit in the world!

    One year after La Batalla de Puebla, the French brought in more troops and re-attacked.  This time they were able to make their way to Mexico City, take the capital, and install Emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg as the reigning monarch of México. Maximilian ruled México for about four years, until his execution in 1867 by troops loyal to President Juárez, who regained power.

    Although La Batalla de Puebla on Cinco de Mayo was rendered militarily insignificant by the French's subsequent victory, it did inject the Mexican people with pride and patriotism it had never before enjoyed. Since its independence from Spain in 1821, México had suffered one tragedy after another.  La Batalla de Puebla was the first time that the Mexican pueblo could rally around a common cause and proudly proclaim, «¡Yo soy Mexicano!»

    Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated in México to the same extent that it is by Chicanos in the U. S., mainly because El 16 de septiembre is seen as the more important holiday.  The reason that Chicanos celebrated the holiday is that we appreciate its cultural significance (victory in the face of great odds and the patriotism it generated) more that its historical relevance.  Also, General Ignacio Zaragosa, the leader at La Batalla de Puebla, was born in Texas while it was still part of México.  For this reason, he is considered by many to be the first Chicano hero.  Some scholars, including José Antonio Burciaga, believe that had the French defeated México at Puebla, France would have aided the South in the American Civil War in order to free Southern ports of the Union Blockade.  During this time, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was enjoying success, and French intervention could have had an impact on the Civil War.  It seems that even people not of Mexican descent may also have an indirect reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Whatever the case may be, people should realize that this holiday does have some historical and cultural significance to millions of people and that not everyone considers it an excuse to go out and party.

 

 

What do Mexicans celebrate on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)?
Eduardo Rojas Vega (erv@ukc.ac.uk).
http://soil-physics.nmsu.edu/vista/esl/m5_faq.html

Having inherited troubled finances, a bankrupt treasury and army after the War of the Reform, Mexican President Benito Juarez declared a two year moratorium on the payment of Mexico's foreign debt. The outcry in Europe was anguished. On Oct 31, 1861, the representatives of Queen Isabella II of Spain, Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and Emperor Napoleon III of France, signed the Convention of London by which the three nations agreed on a joint occupation of the port of Veracruz to collect their claims. The purpose was to occupy the customhouse and apply all customs receipts to the debt. The Convention text stated that their intention was not to impair the right of the Mexican nation to choose and freely constitute the form of its own government.

England and Spain were sincere but France, a month after the Spanish and British withdrawal, brought 4,500 troops and began marching inland on its war of occupation. Their objective was to occupy Mexico City. Gen Latrille, commanding the French troops, was informed that the French would be welcomed with open arms in Puebla (conservative and proclerical just like today), and that the local clergy would shower them with magnolia blooms and would offer a special Te Deum in their honor.

President Juarez assigned the defense of Puebla to Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. Encountering unexpected opposition on May 5, 1862, Latrille attacked recklessly and within 2 hours the French had expended half of their ammunition. The decisive action of the day was carried out by young Brigadier Gen. Porfirio Diaz who later that afternoon repelled a determined assault on Zaragoza's right flank. The invaders, witnesses of more glorious days in Crimea, retreated to lick their wounds in Orizaba.That's how May 5 --Cinco de Mayo-- would be added to the national calendar of holidays!!

The French, after 1 year of preparation, reattacked Puebla and made their way to Mexico City. Maximilian of Habsburg was named Emperor of Mexico attending the invitation of the conservative "Club de Notables" led by Miguel Gutierrez Estrada and Father Francisco Javier Miranda. Although in intention Maximilian was not a monster and acted in ways that the conservatives and clergy criticised (declared free press, proclaimed general amnesty for political prisoners, donned regional costumes, ate local food, and suggested that many priests he met could profit from some basic lessons in Christian charity), he signed the October decree in 1865 by which the death penalty was made mandatory for all captured Juaristas still bearing arms and was to be carried out without appeal within 24 hours of capture.

After Napoleon made the decision to withdraw his troops in early 1867, Maximilian was left in an impossible position. He thought of abdicating his throne but his sense of Hapsburg dignity, and the hope that his wife's pleas to Napoleon, Pope Pius IX, and even Queen Victoria would bring military support again, convinced him not to abdicate. Maximilian took command of the Mexican Imperial Army but quickly found himself surrounded by republican troops. Although plans had been laid for his escape, he surrendered to General Mariano Escobedo on May 15,1867.

The emperor would be tried and the state would request the death penalty. In spite of a rain of pleas for clemency from European Monarchs, New World Presidents and delegations of tearful supplicating women, Juarez remained adamant. On the morning of June 19, 1867, after having received the last sacrament, Maximilian was led to The Cerro de las Campanas, in Queretaro and executed along with Miramon and Mejia, two conservative Mexican officers. As tragic as this event might appear, fifty thousand Mexicans had lost their lives fighting the French.

Many historians say that after the failure of this attempt to tamper with Mexico's sovereignty, Mexican nationalism and self-esteem began to grow perceptibly for the first time in history.

This explanation of the origin of Cinco de Mayo by Eduardo Rojas Vega was reproduced from the Freqently Asked Questions (<http://www.public.iastate.edu/~rjsalvad/scmfaq/faqindex.html>FAQ) file of the newsgroup <news:soc.culture.mexican>soc.culture.mexican. Send questions or comments regarding the FAQ to the moderators of the newsgroup: mendoza-grado@att.com or rjsalvad@iastate.edu

 

return to top of page

return to homework page

return home