Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a nifty celebration of Mexican culture, eh? Seems like ever more so, even in the last twenty years, and I'm all for it.
Which reminds me of how interesting it would be to consider and absorb North American history as a seamless web, giving more serious weight to developments in Canada and Mexico, which would include much more about Mexican and French as well as Spanish and British influence on politics and culture.*
Back to Cinco de Mayo. Besides being fun, the date commemorates the 1862 Battle of Puebla, a Mexican victory over French invaders. Probably less known in the USA is the French capture of Mexico City afterwards, and the installment of Maximilian, a young Hapsburg, as Emperor, during the American Civil War. And how about a dose of the French Foreign Legion -- in Mexico?
Not to mention the withdrawal of French forces, followed by the defeat of Maximillian's own loyalists by Mexican republican forces under Benito Juárez and others. While in charge in 1865, Max had ordered the summary execution of republican prisoners, so it was no accident that when he himself was captured by republican enemies, he was executed, too. The practice of shooting prisoners was an old one. (Painting by Édouard Manet, 1868).
If we go beyond the basis for Cinco de Mayo, we'd also take a closer look at the Mexican-American War, since the French had basically followed the American (and earlier Spanish) route to Mexico City. And then we'd come across how the entire area of California and present-day Southwestern US** was sheared off from Mexico. And then what would we do with that knowledge? That's a complication with history: the more you look, the more there is to consider.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Earlier related posts: http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2008/05/another-war-another-celebration.html
http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2006/05/el-cinco-de-mayoback-in-late-1861.html
http://eriklerouge.blogspot.com/2006/04/smoke-and-mirrorsamerican-society-has.html
Today's Rune: Wholeness. *A year after this was originally posted, I'm now teaching American history in exactly this way, within the larger framework.
**Including, yes, Arizona.
6 comments:
It's always a bit strange when you start tracing down the history of land. California is ours now, but bfore that it was Mexico's, but before that various trible entities owned it, and other tribal groups before them. It's like traveling back in time and meeting yourself.
Hey, some good things came of it-- good beermaking traditions (Bohemia beer).
I still find it a little surreal that the Hapsburgs controlled Mexico for a while.
This gives an added dimension to the lyrics: "This land is our land, this land is your land ..."
Get rid of one oppressor and the vacuum will be filled by another in a never ending series of them whose quest for wealth and conquest consumes the desire for a free people. Before it was the french now it is the drug cartels.
Erik, friends went to Mexicantown and brought us back the authentic stuff and then we bombed out at two local restaurants (they were PACKED!) and ended up at Chili's for a rather poor substitute.. Beer was good, tho!
I bet your class is really fun. You're teaching American History in this way - which way? Lots of snippets, reflections, and key pictures? Seems fun anyway.
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