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In 1861, during the U.S. Civil War, France sent troops to Mexico and made Mexico into a French colony.
The U.S. was still committed to its foreign policy of opposing by force attempts to recolonize any American nation that had won their independence (the Monroe Doctrine). The Civil War prevented the U.S. from enforcing that policy. As Lincoln said regarding another dispute, only one war at a time.
However, Mexico resisted.
On May 5, 1862, at Pueblo outside of Mexico City, Mexican irregulars, guerrillas, and militia defeated the invading French forces.
While the French lost that battle, they still were able to capture Mexico City and impose colonial rule.
Despite losing their capitol and government, Mexico continued to resist.
Abraham Lincoln and the Union supported the Mexicans while the Confederacy hoped to trade support for the French colonization of Mexico for recognition of Confederate independence.
Abraham Lincoln and the Union supported the Mexicans while the Confederacy hoped to trade support for the French colonization of Mexico for recognition of Confederate independence.
At Lincoln's order in late 1863 Union forces landed from the Gulf of Mexico and seized Brownsville, Texas as a show of force and a warning to France.
After the surrender of the Confederacy, 50,000 Federal troops under General Philip Sheridan were deployed to the Mexican border with Texas.
France withdrew and the Mexicans overthrew the colonial government, completing their struggle which began with their victory on the first Cinco de Mayo.
The success of the Mexican resistance restored Mexican independence and saved the U.S. from engaging in another war immediately after the Civil War.
That's something both nations can celebrate together.
I wrote this in reaction to white supremacists advocating making Cinco de Mayo "Turn in an Illegal Day".
Timely and fascinating.
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