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2. Because of wanting to expand his empire, Napoleon III (grandson of Napoleon Bonaparte), of France, decided to conquer Mexico. He brought along the future king to rule for him, as him, over there: Maximilian (a Hapsburg prince) and his wife, Carlota. EL CINCO DE MAYO

3. In Europe, Napoleon III had been successful with his expansion in taking down the capital city. Their goal: México D.F.

4. EL CINCO DE MAYO Since 1857, the French already had a political—if not military—presence in México, D.F., but until that point, the current governor of Mexico, Benito Juarez, disregarded all French orders.

5. They started in Vera Cruz, but by the time they got to Puebla, Mexico, they had something else coming to them. General Zaragosa—the leader of the Mexican army—ordered Colonel Porfirio Diaz (a leader of one of his calvary) to fight. EL CINCO DE MAYO

6. The French, along with 8,000 other rebel Mexican rebels, fought against around 5,000 Mestizo & Zapotec Indians, directed by General Zaragosa. Colonel Diaz sent his men to the French flanks. Napoleon III sent his army to chase Diaz. ¡Qué error! EL CINCO DE MAYO

7. Diaz’ men conquered the men. The United States, by this time, had sent military and weapons down, despite its on political unrest, to help the Mexicans. EL CINCO DE MAYO

8. Most of the remaining French charged at the Mexicans through a thunderstorm and had met their fate when hundreds of cattle stampeded them—led only by indigenous people and their machetes. Alas, as the French’s resources outnumbered them, this was a significant battle won, but French occupied Mexico for five years, with Maximilian of Austra in charge. EL CINCO DE MAYO

9. Benito Juarez was in charge of Mexico City at the time—a man ½ indigenous, ½ Mexican, but refused to do what the French wanted him to. Worked with the French army. The French were eventually forced to retreat in 1867 due to political pressure and political overthrow. Maximilian was executed. EL CINCO DE MAYO

10. Sources found at: –http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htmhttp://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm –http://clnet.ucla.edu/cinco.htmlhttp://clnet.ucla.edu/cinco.html –http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htmhttp://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm EL CINCO DE MAYO