Originally published in Synapse on May 6, 1982.
In celebrating the 120th anniversary of the battle at Puebla, it is essential to realize exactly what is being commemorated. Many people don’t know what really happened on May 5, 1862.
Many are confused with the belief that Cinco de Mayo was the ending of the War of Independence. It must be clear that this event is celebrated as a result of the Mexican victory over French imperialism.
But in order to understand Cinco de Mayo, we must take a look at Mexican history after the War of Independence in 1821.
The War of Independence left Mexico in chaotic conditions with a devastated economy. Politically, Mexico had no experience in governing itself and changes of government were an annual event.
Mexico, a weak country, had to rely on foreign loans to keep the political and economic system on its feet. France took advantage of this situation by demanding unjust payments on such issues as the destruction of a pastry shop and used it as an excuse for military intervention.
This was one of the many examples of how France, Spain and England took advantage of a weak country. During this period European countries were in a race to colonize the rest of the world and they saw an opportunity in Mexico, as did the U.S.
This country since 1810 had always had plans of expanding territorially. Since it had expanded as far west as possible with the purchase of Louisiana from France, the U.S. government encouraged migration into Mexican territory, especially into Texas, since it would create a base of support in an area that was almost uninhabited.
In 1844, the U.S. declared war on Mexico with the concept that “American blood was shed on Mexican soil.” This was nothing but an excuse to take advantage of a country that had an inadequate form of defense and little national unity.
With all these historical developments in mind, we can understand the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo.
In 1858, civil war broke out between the conservative and liberal forces in Mexico. By this period, Mexico had heavy debts to France, England and Spain.
In 1862, Mexico was unable to pay its debt and to confront French troops that had arrived in Veracruz. War broke out between Mexican troops (composed mainly of peasants) and the highly trained French troops. The French were finally defeated in Puebla, May 5, 1862.
The triumph of the Mexican army in Puebla was greatly due to the astute direction of the general-in-chief, Ignacio Zaragoza and the bravery of the generals Diaz, Negrete and Berriozopol.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is still remembered and commemorated as a significant and historic day by millions of Mexicans both in the U.S. and Mexico. It is a day in which the Mexican people rose historically to the defense of their country against foreign aggression.
In this tradition of militance and national unity, the Mexican people continue their present day struggles against imperialism, a system based on the exploitation of man by man. The concrete conditions in which our people live can be seen in the barrios, where there exists bad housing, high rates of crime, drug addiction, police brutality and unemployment.
This government has failed to provide quality bilingual-bicultural education to meet the needs of our people. In universities and professional schools, Mexicans are severely under-represented and now, the economic crisis threatens our very existence in these institutions.
The mass media, in conjunction with the educational system, propagate the mass culture of the white majority and use blatant and sophisticated methods of cultural aggression to subvert and destroy our national consciousness, history and culture.
The results can be seen in the thousands of Mexicans who cannot speak Spanish, do not understand or know their history, and worst of all, are confused about their national identity as Mexican people.
Cinco de Mayo can be found in the history of all peoples who have carried out valiant struggles against injustice and oppression. But for Mexican people in particular, Cinco de Mayo represents a day when we salute those who have fought in the past and evaluate our work to further develop our movement for self-determination. It is a day when we recognize our achievements and learn from the examples set by our leaders.
This occasion serves as a reminder that, just as the Mexican people themselves had to defeat the French imperialists in 1862, the Mexican people in the U.S. have the duty and right to define our reality and develop our particular forms of organization and struggle.
It is clear that on this day students, workers, and all other sectors of Mexican people, must remind ourselves of the historical tasks before us, continue to raise a national and anti-imperialist consciousness and build the national unity of our people.
A unity that calls for respect and solidarity in action with the struggles of third world people, all progressive people, the working class in general and in particular the struggles of Mexican people.
