The Battle Of Puebla Should Be Toasted By Americans On Cinco De Mayo
The Battle of Puebla, which happened on Cinco De Mayo, has been co-opted by corporate America as a great marketing opportunity to sell tequila and Mexican-style food. Americans believe that May 5 is a Mexican Independence Day and eat enchiladas with their shots to celebrate. May 5, in a way, is more about debt repair than drinking cocktails. There are many different Mexicans who celebrate Cinco de Mayo history as the date of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, especially those in the state of Puebla. A French army was sent by Napoleon III while the Mexican forces that were out-manned and out-gunned defeated them. Many Mexicans take the Battle of Puebla as a symbol of freedom and liberty.
The Battle of Puebla’s history
Rather than wearing funny hats and speaking Spanglish, if Americans knew about the history of the Battle of Puebla, they would probably be expressing thanks to Mexico. Mexico’s actual day of independence is not May 5, rather it is September 16, which is the day Mexico’s 10 year Independence War with Spain started in 1810.
The truth surrounding the Battle of Puebla
In 1862, on Cinco de Mayo, the US was in the middle of its Civil War. Since 1810, Mexico has been celebrating Mexican Independence day. But the country was still broke after a large war with the United States in 1848, when it lost California and New Mexico (which is a vast territory that now includes Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah). Therefore, the Mexican government owed France a ton of money. France felt the US was a threat, with its expanding territory and military. Napoleon III thought the Civil War would be a good time to defuse this threat.
Background of Battle of Puebla
On May 5, 1862, the Battle of Puebla began since Napoleon III of France sent troops to Mexico under the ruse of collecting the debt. What he really wanted to do is defeat the Mexicans and have a force in place to aid the Army of the Confederacy. By ensuring that the United States would be split in two, Napoleon believed that France could hold sway over two weakened nations in North America, instead of having to deal with a single powerful one.
The French get defeated at Battle of Puebla
The Battle of Puebla on Cinco de Mayo 1862 pitted a ragtag Mexican force against the French Army, considered the baddest military force in the world at the time. A cocky general that didn’t respect Mexicans lead 6,000 troops in an attack on Puebla. The Mexicans, in addition to standing their ground, chased the French to the coast and defeated them.
Reasons why you should celebrate Cinco de Mayo
The French weren’t completely ousted from Mexico until 1867, but the Battle of Puebla on Cinco de Mayo was pivotal in preserving Mexican independence. Napoleon III was also prevented from aiding the Confederates because of the French army’s defeat at the Battle of Puebla. This small Mexican army helped Abraham Lincoln win the civil war and preserve the union. A deed worthy of a toast when Americans knock back the tequila on Cinco de Mayo.
Sources
tequila
http://cocktails.about.com/b/2007/05/01/tequila-and-cinco-de-mayo.htm
New Mexico
http://www.emersonkent.com/map_archive/mexico_texas_1845.htm
A deed worthy of a toast
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipes/gallery/0,28548,1607704,00.html
|
|
The Gettysburg Magazine issue #46 – Historical Articles Civil War History Bearss $9.95 |
|
|
CIVIL WAR NEWSPAPER / 1863 DAILY MISSOURI DEMOCRAT / GREAT ARTICLES! $29.99 |
|
|
Articles of War, Civil War Book, New $24.95 |
