French occupation occurred because of Mexico’s outstanding debt
BY JEAN JACQUES BOHL
Thursday is Cinco de Mayo, an ethnic holiday celebrated in the United States, but not widely observed in Mexico, except in the State of Puebla. Some people assume, wrongly, that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s independence day. However, that event is commemorated on September 16. Instead, Cinco de Mayo remembers a battle fought on May 5, 1862, in Puebla, by the Mexican Army against the French.
A military conflict between France and Mexico might seem like an unlikely historical event, since the countries do not share a common border and are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Nonetheless, it happened.
The chain of events which led to a French intervention in Mexico and subsequent occupation started in 1861. After years of civil strife, Benito Juarez had just been elected president of Mexico. He ran on a secular platform advocating the confiscation of the considerable properties owned by the Catholic Church. Due to Mexico’s dire financial situation, Juarez decided to suspend all foreign debts owed to the European powers of England, France and Spain. France decided to collect the debt, regardless.
France, at the time, was ruled by a mediocre leader, Emperor Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon I, and did inherit his uncle’s genius for strategy and administration. Leading a very active private life, he had much to be forgiven for by his wife, the devout Catholic Spanish Princess Eugenie de Montijo. She repeatedly asked him to help ease the plight of the Catholic Church in Mexico.
Napoleon III made the decision to invade Mexico and install a puppet regime that would undo Juarez’ policies and serve French interests. Although such an enterprise would go against the Monroe Doctrine, the French leader believed he could get away with it since the United States was embroiled in the American Civil War and was in no position to interfere. So, in late 1861, a French fleet set sail for Mexico and landed a 6,000-man-strong expeditionary force at Vera Cruz.
However, the French expedition did not go according to plan. After seizing Vera Cruz, the French forces marched north toward Mexico City, but hit a snag on May 5, 1862, in Puebla. A Mexican army corps under the command of General Zaragoza stopped and defeated the French advance. Stunned, the French retreated back to Vera Cruz to lick their wounds and ask for reinforcements. The outcome of the battle created a great sense of pride and national unity in Mexico; hence, the Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
In 1863 the French resumed their march toward Mexico City and this time they meant business. Their army, now 30,000 strong, won the second battle of Puebla on May 16, 1863, giving the French an open road to Mexico City.
Once capturing the city, the French installed their handpicked ruler, Maximilian I, younger brother of Austrian emperor, Franz Josef I. Following that, the followers of Juarez fought a guerilla-type war, with their numbers ever increasing.
The American Civil War having ended in 1865, the U.S. government provided military assistance to Juarez and made it clear to Napoleon III that the United States did not rule out military intervention. Taking the threat seriously, the French began withdrawing from Mexico in 1866, leaving Maximilian out to dry. He was captured and executed in 1867 and Juarez resumed his presidency.
There are several events planned in the Wood River Valley to help commemorate Cinco de Mayo. KB’s Burritos in Hailey will have a party from 5-8:30 p.m. with the band Cherry Creek 3. Featured will be lobster tacos and burritos and Margaritas.
On Saturday, May 7, starting at 11 a.m., St. Charles Catholic Church in Hailey will host traditional Hispanic dance groups. Mexican food will be available for purchase.