Cinco de Mayo Facts – 33 Interesting Facts About Cinco de Mayo

Facts About Cinco De Mayo

The battle of Puebla continues to be a source of national pride for the country and is celebrated as a state holiday in the cities of Puebla and Veracruz.

Mexico was heavily in debt after a series of wars. In 1861, France sent a massive army to attack Mexico to force it to pay its war debts.

Mexico gained independence from France in 1821 after it broke free from Spain.

Subsequently, Mexico descended into chaos with internal political takeovers and wars.

Debts began to accumulate, sharply and the situation became worse when Spain, England, and France demanded the repatriation of the debts.

Spain and England were able to negotiate a peaceful deal, but France had ulterior motives.Its ruler Napoleon III saw it as an opportunity to annex Mexico and expand his empire.

Mexico will give France the much-needed link to the US where it was supporting the Confederate Army.

The French army was massive and was better equipped than the rag tag Mexican army.

The French army rolled without much resistance untilled they reached Puebla.

The Mexican militia dug in and made a valiant stand inflicting heavy casualties on the French army. However, the victory was short-lived, and the French forces regrouped and eventually subdued the Mexican army taking Mexico City.