“The good, the bad, & the ugly.” Cinco de Mayo “The good, the bad, & the ugly.”

Uh…… Hey, when is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de mayo is the feeth of may.

Dude, what’s the big deal? It’s Mexico’s Independence. It’s totally sweet. Dude, what’s the big deal?

Eet eez not Mexico’s independence day Eet eez not Mexico’s independence day. Eet eez a celebration of a great battle, after they were already independent.

NOT Mexico’s Independence Day Already independent from Spain 1810 Civil War In debt to: England Spain France

And now for: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Good Benito Juarez El presidente Indigenous 1857 new consitution Equal rights for Indians Worked to raise living standards or rural poor

Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin The Good Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin Led small (less than 4500 troops) militia at Puebla No military tactic training Experienced in guerilla warfare

The Bad Napoleon III of France Nephew of famous Napoleon I Rocky political life: Exiled, dictator, emperor of France

Reasons he invaded Wanted money Wanted to expand empire

General Laurencez Led French troops at Puebla Thought Mexico easy to defeat Arrogance cost France the battle

Empress Carlota Wife of appointed Emperor Maximiliano Couldn’t have kids Tried to adopt/kidnap a mexican heir to help win support of Mexicans Returned to Europe & went crazy

The Ugly Emperor Maximiliano Archduke of Austria named Emporer of Mexico (by Napoleon III) No understanding of Mexico Executed Benito Juarez supporters

The Battle

The Battle of Puebla May 5, 1862 # of French troops more than 6500 # of Mexican troops less than 4500

How Mexico Won the Battle

It ain’t over ‘til the fat mujer sings! Maximiliano ruled in turmoil without much support from home He was executed in 1867 (5 years after the Battle of Puebla)

Vote for Pedro and I weel make Cinco de Mayo an American holiday weeth no school.

Why should Americans celebrate, too? Our civil war was during the same time period Napoleon III had plans to invade and aide the South to weaken US and possibly take it over Honest Abe supported Benito Juarez (Monroe Doctrine) What would be different had France remained in power in Mexico?

I still don’t know when Cinco de Mayo is…. Me, either.