CLACS Teaching El Cinco de Mayo: An Investigation into the Parallel Histories of the United States and Mexico A New Timeline: The United and Mexico, 1810-­‐1867 This “New Timeline” covers some of the important events in the United States and Mexico that occurred between 1810 and 1867 to highlight how the history of these two countries is essentially one history. In traditional history classes, each country is depicted as having an independent history from the rest of the world except for wars or agreements (treaties) between them. This timeline, however, reveals that the U.S. and Mexico have been shaped and influenced by each other’s actions. Please look closely and critically at the timeline, taking special notice of the parallels in events that emerge. 1810 Mexican Wars for Independence from Spain begins with famous the “grito” or battle cry from Miguel Hidalgo in the town of Dolores 1819 Adam-­‐Onis Treaty: U.S/Mexico boundary is established by Spain and the United States; Mexico loses Florida to the U.S. and President Monroe promises Spain that the U.S. will not give money or support to Latin America 1821 The Mexican Wars for Independence ends Mexico allows Stephen F. Austin to begin the colonization of Texas 1822 US President Monroe creates the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that Latin American countries could not be colonized by European nations 1824 Mexico becomes a republic 1829 Mexico abolishes slavery Future leader of the Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) Ignacio Zaragoza is born in Texas (which was Mexico less than ten years prior) 1835-­‐1836 Texas tries to become independent; Santa Anna of Mexico leads the Battle of the Alamo 1841 General Santa Anna is President of Mexico 1 CLACS 1845 The U.S. annexes Texas in order to maintain and spread slavery The slogan “America for Americans” for the Monroe Doctrine gets coined “Manifest Destiny” — it is based on the notion that the U.S. has an inherent, “God-­‐given” right to take land and resources and to rule the “lesser races,” namely Indian, blacks and Mexicans. It is a racist concept that deems White men “better” than all other people. 1846 U.S./Mexico war begins (also known as the Mexican American War and the American War) 1847 U.S. military forces enter Mexico City; peace negotiations start 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the war and Mexico loses a large portion of what is now the U.S. west and southwest, including California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado Gold is discovered in California and people from all over the world seek their fortune in former Mexico, often forcing Mexicans off of their own land 1850 All former Spanish colonies are now independent and have abolished slavery 1851 California Land Act created to end fights between Anglos and Mexican Americans over land and taxes: California is taxed the highest and has the largest population of Mexican Americans (it was Mexico just three years prior!) 1853 The Gadsden Purchase Treaty is signed which enabled the U.S. to expand its railroad 1857 Mexican War of the Reform ends and Mexican Constitution signed 1858 Benito Juárez, a Zapotec Indian, former governor of Oaxaca becomes the first indigenous President of Mexico. He is remembered as one the most beloved leaders. 1860-­‐1861 Southern states in the U.S. attempt to become a separate nation: the Confederate States of America in order to maintain their social and economic structure based on slavery and racial segregation. 2 CLACS 1861 Mexican President Benito Juarez stops payments on debts to Britain, France, and Spain Union and Confederate forces go to their first battle in the U.S. (Bull Run) and the U.S. Civil War/War of Succession/War for Southern Independence begins 1862 Britain, France, and Spain (the Triple Alliance) try to force Mexico to pay, but Britain and Spain soon step away from the fighting while France gets aggressive. The French wanted more than their money, they wanted to take over Mexico. The Battle of Puebla happened on the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo) when 4,000 ill-­‐equipped and indigenous soldiers defeated the powerful French army. U.S. President Lincoln declares all slaves in the U.S. to be free by the beginning of 1863 1864 Napoleon III installs Ferdinand Maximilian as emperor of Mexico 1865 April 14, U.S. President Lincoln is assassinated The U.S. “Civil War” comes to an end Maximilian declares a “Black Flag Decree” which authorized the execution of any person caught bearing arms or plotting against the emperor, aimed at Benito Juarez and his supporters 1867 French Intervention ends, Ferdinand Maximilian is executed and Benito Juarez becomes president again Timeline Resources Hayes-­‐Bautista, David. 2012. Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. Henderson, Timothy J. 2009. The Mexican Wars for Independence. New York: Hill and Wang. Gadsden Purchase. http://www.gadsdenpurchase.com/ Gonzales, Juan. 2000. Harvests of Empire: A History of Latinos in America. Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books. Malmstrom, Vincent H. 2002. Land of the Fifth Sun: Mexico in Space and Time. E-­‐book. Hanover, New Hampshire. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~izapa/LFS_Chapter%207.htm O’Sullivan, John. 1939. Excerpt from “Manifest Destiny” speech. http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/resources/manifest_destiny_sullivan.html PBS Timeline http://www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/index.html 3