Cinco de Mayo Presentation for Spanish 1 Mrs. Wojkowski

What is Cinco de Mayo? The fifth of May. Very good! The fifth of May. Very good! No… it is not Mexico’s Independence day. No… it is not Mexico’s Independence day. Mexico’s Independence Day is on September 16 th. Mexico’s Independence Day is on September 16 th. It is a day to commemorate a battle, It is a day to commemorate a battle, It is the day of the Battle of Puebla. It is the day of the Battle of Puebla.

History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla In 1861 the liberal Mexican Benito Juárez ( ) became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In 1861 the liberal Mexican Benito Juárez ( ) became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III ( ), decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III ( ), decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory.Mexico Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat. Benito Juarez

History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla (cont’d) Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez ( ) set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez ( ) set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a rag-tag force of 2,000 loyal men—many of them either indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry—and sent them to Puebla. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a rag-tag force of 2,000 loyal men—many of them either indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry—and sent them to Puebla. Led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza ( ), the vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. Led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza ( ), the vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault.Texas Ignacio Zaragoza General de Lorencez

History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla (cont’d) On May 5, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and led an assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and led an assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash. Information from History.com

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico Parades Parades –Military processions –Floral floats –Traditional dress

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico Food Traditional food include mole poblano, Traditional food include mole poblano,

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico Reenactments

Cinco de Mayo in the United States It has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. It has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.

Now let’s take a moment to discuss the key players in this battle. General de Lorencez Ignacio Zaragoza

General Lorencez, to his government: We are so superior to the Mexicans in race, in organization, in discipline, in morality, and in refinement of sensibilities, that as of this moment, at the head of our 6,000 valiant soldiers, I am the master of Mexico.

Benito Juarez, in a proclamation to the Mexican people: The government of the republic will fulfill its duty to defend its independence, to repel foreign aggression, and accept the struggle to which it has been provoked, counting on the unanimous spirit of the Mexicans and on the fact that sooner or later the cause of rights and justice will triumph.

Let’s take sides! Please go to the side of the classroom nearest the door if you agree with the statement. Please go to the side of the classroom nearest the door if you agree with the statement. Go to the side of the classroom furthest from the door if you disagree with the statement. Go to the side of the classroom furthest from the door if you disagree with the statement. Be prepared to defend your position! Be prepared to defend your position!

Agree or Disagree? 1) Your ideals and values are the only things that determine your outcomes in all things. 1) Your ideals and values are the only things that determine your outcomes in all things.

Agree or Disagree? 2) It doesn't matter what the chances are: only your attitude matters. 2) It doesn't matter what the chances are: only your attitude matters.

Agree or Disagree? 3) It's better to be prepared and not sure of yourself then to be unprepared but sure of yourself. 3) It's better to be prepared and not sure of yourself then to be unprepared but sure of yourself.

How does this relate to the battle? 1) What sort of ideals and values does each man seem to have? 1) What sort of ideals and values does each man seem to have? 2) How could each man's attitudes have affected the outcome of the battle and the of the war? 2) How could each man's attitudes have affected the outcome of the battle and the of the war? 3) What man turned out to be right? 3) What man turned out to be right? (Pasmanick, Internet source) (Pasmanick, Internet source)