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Cinco de Mayo: 5 th of May. Celebrating the Mexican Victory at the Battle of Puebla 1862. Setting the Stage…. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 and struggled through the American War 1846 – 1848 and the Mexican Civil War of 1858 These events ruined Mexico’s economy
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Cinco de Mayo:5th of May Celebrating the Mexican Victory at the Battle of Puebla 1862
Setting the Stage… • Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 and struggled through the American War 1846 – 1848 and the Mexican Civil War of 1858 • These events ruined Mexico’s economy • Mexico was in debt to France for loaning them money to fight these wars and France demanded repayment
France’s Expanding Empire • Since Mexico owed them money, France demanded that Mexico grant French leadership within the Mexican government as a way of expanding their empire • Mexico refused and stopped making loan repayments • Napoleon, France’s ruler, sent his relative, Archduke Maximillian, to take over and control Mexico
The French Invasion • France invaded Mexico at the Gulf Coast along the state of Veracruz • The French began to march toward Mexico City
Mexican Resistance • Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin organized a group of 4,500 Zapotec Indians and Mestizo farmers to fight against the French.
Mexican Militia • The Mexican army had excellent horses, but very few guns and weapons. • They fought using farming equipment such as hoes and machetes as well as sticks and rocks.
French Army • The French had 6,500 soldiers compared to the 4,500 Mexicans • The French were equipped with guns, ammunition, were well-trained and had a many horses
Mexican Victory! • The French cavalry were distracted and led off by the Mexican cavalry • Meanwhile, the French infantry attacked the Mexican defenders through mud from a recent thunderstorm and through hundreds of stampeding cattle led by Indians armed only with machetes • The French were brutally defeated
American Involvement • The American government sent guns and ammunition to the Mexican soldiers to help them drive the French out for good • Mexicans fought side by side with the Americans and formed a bond of friendship and trust between the two governments
Cinco de Mayo • A celebration of freedom and liberty • Honors the bravery and resilience of a small, outnumbered militia • Proves that common people can be strong and powerful when united in a common goal • Celebrates the bond created between Mexico and the U.S.