Although Budwieser and Corona would have you believe otherwise, 5 de Mayo is not really about drinking beer. For the source of this celebration, you must travel far away from the rolling fields of hops, or the aggressive pursuit of corporate profits. This journey takes you south, down to the arid soils of Puebla Mexico. It was there that on May 5th, 1862, the imperialistic aspirations of the mighty French army fell to the poor but resolute defenders of Mexican independence. How did the army from the land of fine wine and passionate ideals come to covet the Nation of the Aztecs? To answer that question, you need to first have a grasp of the internal politics of Mexico in 1861. Mexico, like much of Central and South America, was just emerging from a prolonged and bloody political conflict between the Conservative and Liberal Parties. By the time the Liberals had gained the victory, the country was not only bloodied and disorganized, it was also financially broke. Thus, one of the first acts of Benito Juarez, the newly elected Liberal president, was to suspend payments on the foreign debt. Although this sat quite well with the Mexicans, the loaning nations of England, Spain and France were not nearly as enthusiastic. With the encouragement of Mexico's remaining conservatives, the three European powers promptly dispatched troops to recover their money. The initial plan for the occupation of Mexico was actually quite benign. Following the agreement of the London Convention, the three powers planned to occupy only the customs' house of the Port of Veracruz. Their stated hope was to use the income generated by the large shipping port to pay off the debt. They also gave assurances that they would not interfere with the internal governance of Mexico.

Such assurances, however, proved to be hollow with regards to the French. It seems that the French King, Napoleon III, had much grander visions than simply recovering a loan. Having already planted the French flag across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Napoleon was eager to establish a similar presence in the Americas. According to the King's estimation, Mexico presented an ideal opportunity for this French expansion. First, the country was greatly weakened by years of internal conflict. Second, the King was also convinced that he would find broad support amongst Mexicans themselves, particularly the disgruntled remnants of the Conservative Party. Finally, Mexico presented the perfect stepping stone for Napoleon's grander goal: throwing France's support behind the confederate armies in their rebellion against the Union forces of the Northern United States.

The aspirations of the Napoleon III was equally matched by the confidence of the French Soldiers. The General of French Forces, Charles Ferdinand Latrille de Lorencez, boldly proclaimed "we are so superior to the Mexicans in race, organization, morality, and elevated sentiments that as the head of six thousand soldiers I am already master of Mexico." In early May of 1862, the French began to move towards Puebla. They believed that the city's lack of credible defense coupled with the strong conservative sympathies of the residents would provide an initial easy victory. Puebla was also just a short distance to the Capitol, Mexico City. On one score the French calculations were correct: Puebla was defended by a mostly ragtag army led by Ignacio Zaragoza. Many of the Mexican soldiers were armed with little more than machetes and courage. The French also outnumbered the Mexicans by threefold.

What the Mexicans lacked in fire power and numbers, however, they made up in patriotism. Zaragoza, a famous leader amongst Liberal circles, appealed to his soldier's sense of native pride. "Your enemies are the first soldiers in the world, but you are the first sons of Mexico. They have come to take your country away from you." As it turned out, that patriotism would win the day.

The French attacked on May 5th. As the soldiers in blue marched towards the town, they were caught in a vicious crossfire from the Mexicans. Three times the French attempted to take Puebla and three times they failed. By the end of the day, the French were forced back in defeat and in disgrace.

The defeat at Puebla would not be the end of French involvement in Mexico. Napoleon eventually sent more reinforcements and France's occupation of Mexico would last another five years. Their presence in the "land of the sun," however, proved more tragic than victorious. The French campaign that began with such high aspirations and confidence, ended with the deafening clamor of rifles aimed at one man: On June 19 1867, Prince Maximilian of Austrian, the proclaimed "King of Mexico," was lined up and shot by the victorious Liberal army.

So if you sitting at home and one of those catchy commercials comes on with beer, women and Mexican flags REMEMBER! 5 de Mayo is not about buying a six pack of Corona. 5 de Mayo is a celebration of the improbable victory of an impoverished but proud Mexico over one of the most powerful nations on the face of the earth.

[ Home ] [ Up ]