The battle came about as a result of France's plan to make Mexico into a satellite state. Emperor Napoleon III believed that by occupying Mexico, France could enrich itself on that nation's natural resources, curb the growth of the United States, and extend its world-wide influence.
But his plan hit an early snag when a French force under Charles de Lorencez met surprisingly tough resistance at the city of Puebla located 100 miles southeast of Mexico City.
The French commander believed his troops would easily win the day against the poorly armed and less numerous force defending the city. Instead he suffered a humiliating defeat.
The outcome had only limited military significance, as France sent reinforcements, drove the Mexican president Benito Juarez out of Mexico City and ultimately set up its own government.
But the battle – which occurred on May 5– delayed the French takeover, strengthened Mexican morale and helped sew seeds of resistance to the French. The Mexicans also proved that a native force could defeat a larger, more professional European army.
Contrary to popular belief in the United States, the Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is not the official independence day in Mexico. It's the 16th of September. But Puebla is still celebrated vigorously in parts of Mexico, and by Mexican-Americans.
Europeans Invade Mexico
Mexico's government was virtually bankrupt. It had lost a third of its territory in a war vs. the United States (1846-1848), and was being torn apart by the Reform War – a civil conflict that had begun in 1857. Only loans from European nations had enabled the Mexican government to function.
When the Juarez government announced that it was suspending payments of foreign debts, England, France and Spain sent armies to Mexico to collect. Deals were made with England and Spain, and their military forces departed. But France had bigger plans.
The French were banking that they could draw heavy support from conservative elements in Mexico, and thus rule the country. So de Lorencez's force began marching from the port of Vera Cruz to Mexico City. In its path lay Puebla, which was defended by troops under General Ignacio Zaragoza.
Zaragoza had no formal military training, but was experienced in guerilla warfare. And he proved to be a shrewd tactician.
French Attack Puebla
Zaragoza anchored his defense on two hilltop forts on the outskirts of Puebla, and also had troops in trenches, out of French view
Many of his troops were farm workers armed with obsolete rifles, but they turned out to be a determined lot. And recent rains had made the ground muddy, hampering French movements.
After an artillery barrage, Lorencez threw his army at the heart of the Mexican defenses and was easily repulsed. The French tried a second attack, this time hitting two sections of Zaragoza's lines. This assault fared better than the first, but was also beaten back.
By this time, the French artillery had expended its ammunition, and its cavalry had been rendered useless from futile charge over rugged ground.
Mexicans Drive French from Field
But Lorencez ordered one more attack, and it was disastrous. Not only did the French make little headway, they were hit on the flanks by a Mexican counterattack.
Some of those making the charge were Xochiapulco and Zacapoaxtia Indians armed only with machetes. Others were cavalrymen under future Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz.
In any case, the French fled the field. They lost 462 killed, 300 wounded and eight captured. Mexican losses were 83 killed, 131 wounded and 12 missing.
What Happened After Puebla
Actually, there was another battle for Puebla -- a longer, larger one. After reinforcements arrived, a French army of 28,000 moved on the city and captured it after a two-month siege.
The French then scattered Mexican resistance and set up Austrian archduke Maximilian as emperor of Mexico. But his reign only lasted three years.
The United States Civil War ended, so the American government began pressuring France to withdraw in addition to supplying Mexican partisans. And the French faced a major threat at home from Prussia.
So France eventually recalled its troops. Maximilian tried to stay in power, raising a force of conservative supporters. But he was unable to stem the tide of Mexican patriotism. He was captured and executed in 1867.
Sources
The Battle of Puebla, MEXinsider.com
The Border: 1862 The Battle of Puebla and Cinco de Mayo, PBS.org
Davis, Paul K.; Besieged: 100 Great Sieges from Jericho to Sarajevo, Oxford, 2001
