Strangely, outside of Mexico, more people celebrate Cinco de Mayo than inside of it. Contrary to other holidays, including September 15, Mexico’s Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo has little to no significance for the typical Mexican.
Americans appear to be paying more attention to the date these days, utilizing it as a kind of justification for a fiesta Mexicana. The origins of the holiday are still relatively known among Mexicans. And while Cinco de Mayo is less well-known in Mexico than it is in the US, federal, state, and local authorities nevertheless observe it, with formal celebrations taking place all across the nation.
Here are 5 interesting holiday-related facts.
1. Cinco de Mayo Commemorates the Battle of Puebla, Not Mexico’s Independence Day
Contrary to popular opinion, Cinco de Mayo does not commemorate Mexican independence, despite the fact that this struggle also encompassed national sovereignty. Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates Mexico’s triumph over France at the Battle of Puebla.
Mexico had attempted to restructure its obligations but had failed to do so, leading Napoleon III’s French Empire to invade. Spain and England initially joined France in its attempts to make Mexico pay. In order to make Mexico pay attention, the three countries sent their navies and troops to the Mexican port of Veracruz, where they disembarked.
Mexico was eventually able to negotiate with Spain and England, but the French, who reportedly came to Mexico with imperialist intents and refused to commit to an accord, were unable to do so.
Napoleon III’s imperialist views served as the driving force behind the French Empire’s interventionist attempts, but the reactionary Mexican conservatives—who had recently lost a war to the liberals in the Guerra de Reforma (Reform War)—welcomed and aided them in their endeavors.
The conservatives wanted to establish a monarchical government presided over by a European king because they disagreed with President Benito Juarez’s administration. In order to persuade the Austrian archduke Maximilian to ascend to the fictitious new Mexican monarchy, the conservatives first met Napoleon III, agreed to support his involvement, and then flew to Vienna to meet with him.
General Ignacio Zaragoza’s Mexican forces put up some resistance when the French attempted to move on to Mexico City, the country’s capital, but it was nothing the French forces couldn’t manage. In order to get ready for a significant defense of the route leading to the city, the Mexican army reconvened at Puebla. The Battle of Puebla began here on May 5th, 1862.
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2. Mexico Won the Battle but Ultimately Lost the War
To put it mildly, the outcome of the Battle of Puebla was unexpected. The French forces had to retire, reassemble, and wait for reinforcements as a result of the effective Mexican defense.
A few thousand mostly unprepared, non-career Mexican soldiers were able to repel the aggression and buy some crucial time for the Mexican government to reorganize and get ready for the potential occupation despite the fact that the French army was one of the best and most dangerous armed forces at the time.
Although the Battle of Puebla is hailed as one of Mexico’s greatest military triumphs, the French Empire soon after successfully besieged the city once more. The French forces destroyed the Mexican army, which had lost its major tactician, General Zaragoza, to illness, after 62 days.
The French were able to reach Mexico City and begin the occupation thanks to their victory at Puebla. Archduke Maximilian of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine became the ruler of Mexico and founded the Second Mexican Empire.
3. The Battle Involved Some of Mexico’s Most Emblematic Figures
In addition to being one of the most important events in Mexican history, the Battle of Puebla also, directly and indirectly, featured a number of the country’s most illustrious leaders and characters. General Ignacio Zaragoza, who became a Mexican war hero after defeating the French in battle, was in charge of the actual battle.
He wouldn’t get to see it, though, as he passed away from typhoid disease only a few months later. The 500 peso note from Mexico used to feature the city of Zaragoza. The French leaders in charge of the invasion, Charles Ferdinand Latrille, Comte de Lorencez, and Frédéric Forey, took part in the conflict as well.
During the opening stages of the assault, Lorencez oversaw most of the combat. Although he won the majority of his battles, the Battle of Puebla saw him lose, which resulted in his downgrade and public disgrace.
General Forey took control of the attack after being transferred from his post and led the French forces to victory over the Mexican army at Puebla and the capture of Mexico City. After receiving the title of Marshal of France, he went back to France.
4. The Effects of the Battle and the Second Mexican Empire
In the end, the French intervention in Mexico was unsuccessful. The Empire, which lasted from 1863 to 1867, was a puppet state reliant on France’s desire to maintain the occupation. It never really consolidated.
Juarez ruled a form of government-in-exile in the border states when his government fled the city. In the meantime, Maximilian’s administration pursued a liberal and progressive agenda. He faced criticism from the elites and even the Church as a result of this unwelcome and unexpected performance for the conservatives who had fought to bring him to power.
Also obviously opposed to Maximilian were the liberals, who resisted him and worked to topple the Empire. However, some chose to support Maximilian in order to further liberal principles. The administration even offered Juarez a ministry, but he turned it down.
5. The Weird History Behind the American Celebration of Cinco de Mayo
Actually, Cinco de Mayo is in many ways its own holiday. Although it has its roots in the Battle of Puebla, its justifications for existing are up for debate. However, it is undeniable that Cinco de Mayo is fundamentally a celebration of Mexican-American culture, which is well-liked among Chicano and Latin American populations.
Some claim that Cinco de Mayo originated in California when Mexicans who had immigrated or lived there before the United States annexation of the territory started celebrating their cultural heritage following the French defeat. Others counter that the American interest in a French loss led to the joy.
America was currently split and at war with itself. The Confederacy might at any time rely on the uncertain French Empire to help them win the war. Therefore, the Americans cheered a significant French defeat and supported their eventual withdrawal from Mexico.
The two factors may have combined to give Mexican-Americans a sense of pride following the French victory and a form of identity reconciliation following their marginalization and oppression within the US as the most plausible origins.
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