Hidalgo declared Mexico's Independence on September 16 1810. Similar to the United State's Independence Day it was less formal. Instead of delegates discussing a Declaration of Independence Father Miguel Hidalgo was one of many who rallied for a revolution when authorities gained knowledge of their activities. Hidalgo gathered townspeople at a Cathedral and declared the resistance against Spain. As they fled and fought against Spanish Officers the Mexican Revolution began. After a decade of war Mexico became an Independent Nation on September 27 1821.
Cinco de Mayo became the largest Mexican Political holiday celebrated in the United States. There are several holidays celebrated in New York or Miami, yet the holiday most popular in the United States is Cinco de Mayo.
There are several misconceptions about its origins. As explained it is neither Mexico's Independence Day nor a victory in the Mexican American War. Occurring in 1862 it celebrates the Battle of Puebla. This is several years after 1821 and 1848. 1848 was the last year of the Mexican-American War. The Battle of Puebla solidifies Mexico as an Independent Nation after defeating French Armies.
When Spain accepted defeat most Spaniards left the country and took anything of value. They even stripped buildings of various statues even though they were told to only take anything not bolted down after centuries of constant mining for gold and using Indigenous Americans as cheap labor. In other territories they simply left after the gold was excavated.
As a poor nation without a strong gold standard for trade, Mexico was perceived as a weak nation that was easily invaded. Accounts from the Mexican-American War describe the army as not having uniforms. They looked like regular people dressed in any clothing they could find. After years of building an army and regulating trade within the country they could defeat a much larger army.
This is often viewed as the last attempt of Spain to regain the nation. There are conspiracy theories that the French conspired to host a war so Mexico would have to go back to Spain; however, France began to occupy the nation shortly after the Mexican-American War. The Battle of Puebla was the first organized military action to evict the French from their land after an official invasion in 1861.
The war lasted three short years and established a strong enough military to fend off invasions. In a sense Cinco de Mayo is the second or third Independence Day with solidarity finally achieved in 1865. For this reason Cinco de Mayo is one of the greatest, most celebrated days.
Now that Mexico developed a strong internal commerce and established a centralized government with elected officials, such as: President and Representatives the Independence Day of Hidalgo quickly became the big holiday even though it was always celebrated with fireworks and parades.
In the United States most holidays are celebrated with food. We buy beer on St. Patrick's Day and buy tamales on Cinco de Mayo. There is no reason to celebrate Mexico's Independence Day even though festivals for Bastille Day's bicentennial were heavily reported and people ate something that sounds like it might be French.
Cinco de Mayo is about establishing freedom. It is not an attack on the United States. In fact, we should celebrate Cinco de Mayo because after defeating England we began encouraging other nations to revolt again European Oppression. Before Father Miguel Hidalgo's declaration Mexico and the United States made an agreement to support each other, like brothers, regardless of the outcome.
It is good when Mexico develops trade partners and rebuilds their nation. This lessens reliance on the United States. NAFTA assists in solidifying loyalty between our nations. As an American I feel Spain should return what they took, especially the gold and jewels from the Ancient Aztecs. Even if it was a Holy War, which it was not, gold and statues are ground down or melted so no one benefits from the war.
No one was expecting Spain's strategy. There was nothing to divide or plunder. In fact, Mexico would have had a lot of debt to pay if this agreement did not exist. Usually the winning nation in a war has no obligation towards paying war costs. Usually the winner signs treaties partitioning costs of war with land grants; instead of, having their National Treasury stolen.
Some might argue Spain brought civilization and religion to the indigenous people, yet they made the indigenous people into virtual slaves. This part of history is similar to how the Colonies were over taxed by England and trade routes were altered to ensure England was the middleman in all trade. These taxes were for military defense, protection, and the costs of travel to the Americas. It is a very high price and it appears both Spain and England are unnecessary in both instances.
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