May 1, 1998
The 5th of May, 1862 involved the histories and destinies of both the United States and Mexico, when both countries looked to their leaders to unite their respective nations. The leaders were Abraham Lincoln and Benito Juarez and their lives held many parallels. Lincoln was a laborer; Juarez was a shepherd. Both apprenticed to lawyers and became attorneys, going into politics as young men after practicing law. Both men became orators of considerable talent who made profound and lasting remarks and speeches.
Juarez was the first constitutional president of Mexico in 1858, and Lincoln was the first Republican U.S. President in 1860. The two men admired and respected each other, and corresponded about common national problems. Mexico was recovering from 40 years' turmoil brought on by independence from Spain, and the U.S. was becoming involved in a civil war.
Into this chaos stepped Napoleon III of France, who sponsored Maximilian as monarch of Mexico. Napo-leon's plan was to protect French investments in Mexico and restore order there by reinstating a monarchy. This purpose was in direct opposition to the Monroe Doctrine, which pledged United States resistance to European intervention in this hemisphere. Because of the Civil War, the United States could not come to Mexico's aid for a lack of available troops. Therefore, Lincoln looked to Juarez to contain the French involvement in Mexico until the U.S. Civil War concluded and troops could be sent into Mexico to fight alongside Juarez to expel the French.
On May 5, 1862, a spirited garrison commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza was convincingly victorious in their fight against the French army under General Lorenz. This effort of Mexicans restored the faith of the people in their own leadership and design, which has continued to this day. On Cinco de Mayo, 1862, Mexico became a nation of the world, and this event has been celebrated each year by the Mexican people.
Subsequent battles produced French victories, and in 1864, emperor Maximilian entered a French held Mexico City with Juarez fleeing north to establish a provisional government in various parts of Mexico. During this period Juarez fulfilled his pledge to Lincoln and kept the French at bay. At the end of the U.S. civil war in April 1865, Lincoln was able to help his friend by immediately demanding that French troops be withdrawn or face two million battle hardened U.S. veterans on the side of Juarez and Mexico. Two years later the last foreign troops left Mexico and Maximilian was executed.
Lincoln and Juarez had assisted each other during the most uncertain times in their nations' histories. They will forever be remembered as two of the most influential figures in North American history.