The Truth About Cinco de Mayo

by Jack Lee

In the US there’s a lot of misunderstanding about what Cinco De Mayo means and why it’s celebrated here by most Mexican-Americans. The first misconception is this is Mexico’s Independence Day. Nope, that would be on Sept. 16th. What Cinco de Mayo represents is an obscure battle fought 148 years ago in the State of Puebla between the French and the Mexican army.

Background: France, England and Spain had all loaned Mexico a huge amount of money, but after Mexico fought a bloody internal revolt between conservatives and liberals, Mexico suspended any repayment because they were flat broke.

These three nations decided to get back their money one way or the other, even if they had to conquer Mexico and extract the money. In 1861 English, Spanish and French troops arrived in Vera Cruz and set up camp. However, by 1862 Mexico’s president was able to convince Spain and England that nothing would be gained by further damaging Mexico’s economy and that payments would resume, as soon as Mexico was back on her feet. England and Spain went home. France saw an opportunity! They decided to stay and take Mexico by force. However, they would need a much larger force.

While the reinforcements were in route the French captured the city of Campeche. The French were better trained and better equipped than their counterparts, but they were short of the needed numbers to wage a major war. When their reinforcements arrived the French forces totaled about 6000. This was still a little light, but they were confident their professional soldiers would be the deciding factor. The French marched on Mexico City, but they had one little problem… drinking the water…big mistake.

By the time they reached Orizaba near a Mexican fort, Montezuma’s revenge had depleted their fighting strength considerably (this was one sick army). But, here they were, just short of their goal and the garrison in Puebla was the last obstacle before Mexico City. The French believed this garrison was much weaker than it really was. A bad mistake. The first two human waves were backed up by artillery and they were repulsed. At times during each assault the Mexican’s were nearly overrun, but to their credit they steadfastly held their positions.

By the 3rd attack the French were tired and they had exhausted their shells. Without artillery support they attacked one more time, but they were predictably turned back, this time pursued for a short distance by Mexican foot soldiers until they were called back to the fort. Then something unexpected happened, a young Mexican cavalry general seized the initiative and ordered a cavalry charge. The retreating French were totally caught by surprise in the open ground and panic set in. They lost over 460 soldiers killed and the Mexican’s about 83. It was a modest victory, but it was a huge moral booster for the Mexicans.

The French were temporarily held back from taking Mexico City, but they managed to keep control of all the cities they captured while they waited the 27,000 French reinforcements. When they turned up on the scene there was just no way Mexico regular army could hold out against such a force. The nation’s Capitol fell to the French in June of 1863. The French then installed Maximilian of Austria, a young Austrian nobleman, as Emperor. Maximilian’s reign lasted until 1867, when President Juarez was able to drive the French out and restore the Mexican government. The young general that led the cavalry charge at the Battle of Puebla died of typhoid only weeks after the battle.

The Battle of Puebla didn’t amount to much in military terms as Mexico was doomed to fall eventually. And when you consider that the Mexican’s had 4000 troops to defend a fortified position and the French barely had an equal number soldiers well enough to attack it was not like the Alamo. Military doctrine of the day said the attackers need twice the number of the defenders to overcome a fortified position. So even though the Mexican’s were technically outnumbered they actually had the advantage. Today Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo in the State of Puebla as a regional event, but it’s by no means a universal holiday.

In the US Cinco de Mayo is a much bigger deal. It’s a case of give a Gringo an excuse to party, be it St. Pat’s Day or Cinco de Mayo and you’ve got yourself a genuine multi-cultural holiday! And that’s the whole truth behind Cinco de Mayo.