History of 5 de Mayo (It is not the Independence of Mexico!) Who Celebrates 5 de Mayo Mexico after the Mexican- American War The French invasion Batalla de Puebla (Puebla Battle) The Mexican Empire 5 de Mayo celebration

2 Who Celebrates 5 de Mayo California Texas New Mexico Arizona –at one point part of Mexico. –lost to US during the Mexican-American War in –new Mexican-American citizens united to form a coalition society to protect

3 Who Celebrates 5 de Mayo These societies evolved into an elitist society contributed money and materials to the Mexican Government to fight against the Mexican Imperial Monarchy

4 Mexico Before the Mexican American War Agustin de Iturbide –crowned emperor of a free Mexico. He was a “Criollo” of noble Spanish decent only 8 months Constitutional government led by Santa Anna –“traitor” that sold the land to US and caused the Mexican- American War.

5 Mexico after the Mexican-American War Santa Anna –the Mexican dictator –was forced to resign. In 1858, Benito Juárez, –a full blooded Zapotec Indian, a lawyer and a priest, –elected as president of Mexico to defend the Constitution established in –was re-elected in The country was in a financial hole due to the Mexican-American war. 1861, President Juarez issued a moratorium on all debt repayment

6 The Initiation of the Mexican-French War Congress made the decision to suspend the payment of the foreign debt for two years except to US, who helped Juárez to the presidency The creditors, France, Spain and England France, ruled by Napoleon III (Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew), –greedy agenda of expanding its empire to the Americas. ( emperor of France)

7 Napoleon III’s Agenda Dispose of the Constitutional Government of Mexico Establish a monarchy favorable to France in Mexico, Central and South America Have a monopoly on raw materials from the Americas Have a close check on the United States after the annexation of the Mexican territory

8 Foreign invasion of Mexico On December 8 th, 1861 –European forces landed in Veracruz. Spain and England –withdrew their support –went back to Europe on April 11 th, 1862.

9 The French Invasion Illusion of Mexican people would welcome them the French set out to Mexico city with 6/7,000 men. This illusion – fostered by conservatists and rich “Criollo” landlords –feared the loss of their lands to the Republic.

10 Puebla Battle General Ignacio Zaragoza –Ordered to stop the French troops –army of only 2000 men.

11 Puebla Battle May 5, 1862 Loreto and Guadalupe in the city of Puebla video

12 Puebla Battle one fort was in ruins more than 1000 French soldiers were died. The Mexican Army had won a battle… But not the war…. This date is symbolic of the Mexican’s courage against a formidable army

13 Forts of Loreto and Guadalupe

14 The Mexican Empire Mexico won the battle of Puebla but lost the war In June 1864 –Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife Charlotte (Carlota) arrived in Mexico as crowned emperors by Napoleon III Maximilian –organized the administration –liberated the Indians from servitude –developed the natural resources of the country

15 The Mexican Empire Juárez –went North and requested volunteers and financial support –Want to overthrow the empire May 15, 1867 –Maximilian was captured and tried by court martial –executed in “El Cerro de las Campanas” June 19 with his officers Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejía Carlota –sent back to Austria –developed dementia

16 Maximilian and the Charro Outfit

17 5 de Mayo Celebration 5 de Mayo is a Mexican holiday it is in US where the celebration is more festive consisting of parades, music, folklore, dances and food These festivities are to celebrate the solidarity among the Mexican- Americans

18 5 de Mayo Today The battlefield –now a park in Puebla with a statue of General Zaragoza riding horseback. forts –is a museum –display of hundreds of toy soldiers set up to show what happened that day

19