HISTORY This Week: Cinco de Mayo’s Civil War Connection

Host: Alana Casanova Burgess
Guest: Dr. David Hayes Bautista, Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for the Study on Latino Health and Culture at UCLA
Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled “Cinco de Mayo’s Civil War Connection,” HISTORY This Week delves into the intertwined histories of Mexico’s Battle of Puebla and the American Civil War. Host Alana Casanova Burgess, alongside guest Dr. David Hayes Bautista, explores how Cinco de Mayo transcends its common celebration in the United States, uncovering its profound roots in civil conflict and Latino resilience.

Setting the Scene: Puebla, May 5, 1862

The episode opens on a spring morning in Puebla, Mexico. Dr. Bautista narrates the tension-filled atmosphere as Bartolo Bautista, an armed civilian (siviles armados), stands on the fortified walls observing the approaching French army.

Dr. Bautista [02:05]: "They were part of what they called siviles armados. They were armed civilians, just called up as cannon fodder, given rifles, and told to go fight the French."

The Battle of Puebla

With the Mexican army stretched thin due to recent civil conflicts, civilians like Bartolo are thrust into battle against the technologically superior French forces. As the French army of 6,000 men advances, the severely outnumbered Mexicans prepare for a desperate defense.

Dr. Bautista [03:26]: "The French lined them up against the wall. They were going to be executed."

In a dramatic turn, Bartolo’s birthmark, shaped like a hand over his heart, reportedly spares him from execution due to French superstitions—a story Dr. Bautista later questions for its veracity but acknowledges its symbolic significance.

Cinco de Mayo: Origins

The victory at Puebla by the Mexican forces leads to the emergence of Cinco de Mayo as a day commemorating resistance and unity. However, Dr. Bautista highlights that Cinco de Mayo holds different meanings in Mexico and the United States.

Dr. Bautista [05:13]: "The story behind Cinco de Mayo—how did a Mexican victory become a day that's celebrated in the United States?"

The Latino Influence During the Gold Rush

The narrative transitions to the mid-19th century, where the discovery of gold in California ignites a massive influx of immigrants, including Latin Americans seeking fortune. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo transfers vast territories from Mexico to the United States, profoundly impacting Mexican citizens who now face new governance and diminished rights.

Dr. Bautista [06:03]: "Within just 10 short days, two things would happen that would change the country and the world forever."

Latino Contributions to the US Civil War

Amidst the turmoil, the growing Latino community in California becomes deeply involved in the American Civil War, rallying behind President Abraham Lincoln’s fight against slavery and for democracy.

Dr. Bautista [13:26]: "The vast majority of Latinos said, well, who’s fighting for slavery and who’s for freedom, equality, and democracy? Well, Abraham Lincoln."

Latinos not only support the Union through voting and financial contributions but also actively join the military, forming Spanish-speaking units that bolster the Union's efforts.

French Intervention in Mexico

The episode shifts focus to the broader geopolitical tensions involving Mexico. Dr. Bautista explains how President Benito Juarez’s progressive policies and debts led European powers, particularly France under Napoleon III, to intervene militarily in Mexico with imperial ambitions.

Dr. Bautista [15:15]: "Juarez was able to convince the British and the Spanish bankers, 'Look, I’ve got nothing here. Let's get our economy going first.' But that left the French."

Napoleon III’s desire to expand French influence and support Confederate interests during the American Civil War makes Mexico a strategic target. The French aim to install Archduke Maximilian of Austria as a puppet emperor, challenging Juarez’s legitimate government.

The Outcome and Legacy

Despite initial setbacks, including the iconic Battle of Puebla, French forces ultimately succeed in capturing Mexico City and installing Maximilian. However, the delay caused by the Puebla victory hampers their ability to support the Confederate cause effectively, indirectly contributing to the Union's eventual victory in the American Civil War.

Dr. Bautista [29:11]: "The battle of Puebla in 1862 postponed the French ability to help until 1863. By then, by the skin of his teeth, Lincoln was able to preside over the victory at Gettysburg."

The episode also touches on the assassination of Lincoln and its devastating impact on the Latino community, who had looked to both Lincoln and Juarez as symbols of progress and democracy.

Continued Resistance in Mexico

Dr. Bautista details the prolonged resistance against Maximilian’s regime, emphasizing Juarez’s unwavering leadership and the eventual withdrawal of French forces following Maximilian’s execution in 1867. This restoration of Juarez solidifies Mexican independence and democratic governance.

Modern Cinco de Mayo

Concluding the episode, Dr. Bautista reflects on the evolution of Cinco de Mayo from a significant historical commemoration to its contemporary celebration in the United States. He advocates for a return to its original meaning, emphasizing themes of human and civil rights that remain relevant today.

Dr. Bautista [31:45]: "I would like it to be celebrated today for the same reason it was celebrated back in 1862—when Latinos marched in the streets to let the world know where they stood on the issues of the American Civil War."

Conclusion

“Cinco de Mayo’s Civil War Connection” offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical events that shaped Latino identity and influence in both Mexico and the United States. Through expert analysis and engaging storytelling, HISTORY This Week underscores the enduring significance of Cinco de Mayo as a symbol of resilience, unity, and the ongoing struggle for equality and democracy.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. David Hayes Bautista [02:05]: "They were part of what they called siviles armados. They were armed civilians, just called up as cannon fodder, given rifles, and told to go fight the French."

• Dr. David Hayes Bautista [05:13]: "The story behind Cinco de Mayo—how did a Mexican victory become a day that's celebrated in the United States?"

• Dr. David Hayes Bautista [13:26]: "The vast majority of Latinos said, well, who’s fighting for slavery and who’s for freedom, equality, and democracy? Well, Abraham Lincoln."

• Dr. David Hayes Bautista [29:11]: "The battle of Puebla in 1862 postponed the French ability to help until 1863. By then, by the skin of his teeth, Lincoln was able to preside over the victory at Gettysburg."

• Dr. David Hayes Bautista [31:45]: "I would like it to be celebrated today for the same reason it was celebrated back in 1862—when Latinos marched in the streets to let the world know where they stood on the issues of the American Civil War."

Acknowledgments:
Special thanks to Dr. David Hayes Bautista for his insightful contributions. This episode was produced and sound-designed by Ben Dickstein, produced by Katherine Isaac, and hosted by Alana Casanova Burgess for Back Pocket Studios in partnership with the History Channel.

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