The History of Cinco de Mayo
By Maria Elena
Montano
In the 1800’s, Mexico
underwent a series of wars, bringing about political changes which affected
Mexico’s government for yet another century.
After 300 years of colonial slavery New Spain
declared its independence from Spain on Sept.16,1810. A war ensued on Mexican
soil that lasted until 1821. Mexico was born as a constitutional democracy. The
end of Spanish rule meant no more slavery, and it was written in the first
constitution.
Only 26 years later,
young Mexico was invaded by the United States, under the political doctrine of
Manifest Destiny, established by President James Monroe. The United States
declared war on Mexico, because in Texas the Americans brought slaves into
Mexican lands and Mexico had no slavery in 1846. The Mexican American War lasted
two years. No one won. There was a treaty made, where Mexico ceded the Southwest
to the United States, in exchange for the promise of no more invasions. This is
when Mexico became the “amigo”country. The present borders are the
international borders agreed upon in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848.
Mexico had yet another challenge in the 1800’s: To pay back the loans it
took from foreign powers to help pay for the War of Independence and war against
the United States capitalist imperialist
forces.
In Europe, Napoleon III (nephew
to Napoleon I), had already established his French army as superior to all
countries in Europe. He decided to conquer “Mexique.” His country
was owed some money, and he sent a small army to collect. The French troops with
bayonets, disembarked off the coast of Veracruz,on the Gulf of Mexico. They
arrived in Puebla on May 5,1862. Their mission was to take two fortresses,
Loreto and Guadalupe. There were many weapons and cannons at those fortresses.
The townspeople of Puebla fought the
French troops, until the Mexican troops arrived. This battle is remembered as
Cinco de Mayo.
The French lost the
first battle, occupied Mexico repressively for seven years, and lost their last
battle as well. Mexico’s democratic president was once again reinstituted
in the Palace of Chapultepec. The president was Don Benito Juarez. A lawyer and
major law reformist, who has been compared to Abraham Lincoln. Benito’s
famous motto is “El Respeto al Derecho Ajeno es la Paz.” (Respect
for Others’ Rights is Peace).
Posted: Thu - May 1, 2008 at 07:15 PM
