KSG_Standard Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 The Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo In 1862, the United States was in the middle of a civil war. All the South needed was a strong exterior ally and its strengthened cause might have permanently split the United States. A possible exterior ally was closer than Abraham Lincoln liked, as the French Army under Gen. Laurencez was making its way through Mexico. The French Army was considered the greatest military force on the globe. For nearly 50 years—since the defeat of Napoleon I’s army at the hands of allied forces at Waterloo, Belgium in 1815—it had not known defeat and had recently won victories in Europe and Asia. In 1862, the French landed in Veracruz along with forces from Queen Isabella II of Spain and Queen Victoria of Great Britain. They had come to collect the debt owed to them by Mexico—debts that Mexican President Benito Juarez had officially suspended because the country was essentially bankrupt. Refusing Juarez’ proposed compromise to repay the debts two years later, the collaboration of the three countries’ militaries seized the custom house at Veracruz. They intended to intercept the customs payments in exchange for their debt. After some time, the diplomats for Spain and Great Britain reached an agreement with Juarez and the armies from those two countries departed from Mexico. The French, on the other hand, stayed and headed for Mexico City. France had significant interest in halting the growth of the United States. The North American country’s rate of expansion and power was threatening to the other world powers. If Napoleon was successful in conquering Mexico, the possibility of marching north to aid the Confederates in dividing the United States into two less powerful and less threatening countries was real. The United States was a major cause of France’s attack on Mexico. The war America recently won over Mexico leveled the Mexican treasury and led to financial disaster. Thus, Juarez suspended payment to France and incited Napoleon III, ruler of France, to act. Lincoln and the United States were dependent on Mexico staving off the French troops until the Confederacy could be defeated and Lincoln could deploy troops south to aid Juarez. Early on May 5, 1862, General Laurencez led 6,000 French troops toward Puebla, Mexico, just 100 miles from Mexico City. Expecting the attack was General Ignacio Zaragoza, a Texas-born Mexican who was ordered to defend Juarez with a force of 4,000 troops, many of them agricultural workers armed with antiquated rifles and machetes. The battle would take place in a muddy, uneven field. To show his contempt for the Mexicans, Gen. Laurencez ordered his troops to attack through the middle of the foes’ defenses, their strongest position. The French cavalry went through ditches, over adobe ruins and toward the slope of Guadalupe Hill. By then, the cavalry, exhausted and nearly disbanded, failed to achieve its goal. The Mexican army stood its ground. Gen. Zaragoza, who had no experience in military tactics but was a veteran in guerrilla warfare, ordered his troops to go after the French, who fled to Orizaba, where Zaragoza attacked the French again, forcing them to flee to the coast. http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/10.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 This wouldnt be a holiday if it wasnt for a certain beer company... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Eye'm not in Denver so Eye don't have to deal with Honk'a de Horno Wave'a de Flago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Hand Grenade Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Damn French. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSG_Standard Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Eye'm not in Denver so Eye don't have to deal with Honk'a de Horno Wave'a da Flago Amen to that brother! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 You can't drive anywhere in Denver on the 5th of May It sucks. Eye had a gig at the Blue Bird Theater one year and no one west of downtown could get to the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Hand Grenade Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I think Mexico should have surrendered to the French and become part of the French empire there the French can establish Garrisons while they wait for reinforcements to come from France and when they have a Strong Army they would March and create an Alliance with the Confederacy (Only to betray them later), Start to beat the crap out of the union but then the confederates see Mexican Militia troops moving into Texas and all ports cut all by the Spanish Navy so with out even frustrating the confederates surrender Texas, Which then later becomes part of Spain so Spain bringing in more Naval Ships and Reinforcements start capturing all southern territories with the help of the French of course which already owns the north and when it is all said and done Britain sweeps in and reclaims what was rightfully theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 They should call it Sicko de Mayo! Haha...i make my self laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Driva so slowa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Happy Cinco de Mayo to you too my friend. I didn't know much about this story until I moved to Texas.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowdiddley Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Driva so slowa I know it, whats up with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Drinka an driveo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Why should anyone in the US celebrate? It's not our holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Hand Grenade Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Why should anyone in the US celebrate? It's not our holiday. St. Patrick's day is not as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callen3615 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Cinco de mayo! Already??? Dios Mio! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSG_Standard Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 We Americans, are celebrating the defeat of the French...and we are just sharing in the joy of our Mexican brothers and sisters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callen3615 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 We Americans' date=' are celebrating the defeat of the French...and we are just sharing in the joy of our Mexican brothers and sisters![/quote'] Seriously, how hard is it to defeat the french. Dont they just give up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homz Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I always miss Texas when the May 5th holiday comes around. Lots of great TexMex food to be had on this holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I always miss Texas when the May 5th holiday comes around. Lots of great TexMex food to be had on this holiday. God Eye miss TexMex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mick Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaHooomie Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 St. Patrick's day is not as well. . Ahhh... USA rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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