cinco de mayo is just a good reason to get stinko on cinco.

It was against the French.  Of course the mexicans won it.  You cant have 2 losers!

The Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla, which is what Cinco de Mayo is all about, but the French later sent in reinforcements. They then easily marched on to Mexico City and installed Maximillian. Mexico was under French occupation for a few years before America supplied the Mexicans with arms to overthrow Maximillian. We probably would have stepped in before the French conquered Mexico in 1864, but we had our own Civil War to worry about.

The Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla, which is what Cinco de Mayo is all about, but the French later sent in reinforcements. They then easily marched on to Mexico City and installed Maximillian. Mexico was under French occupation for a few years before America supplied the Mexicans with arms to overthrow Maximillian. We probably would have stepped in before the French conquered Mexico in 1864, but we had our own Civil War to worry about.

I know.  The french won the battle (a year later) but lost the war.

The Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla, which is what Cinco de Mayo is all about, but the French later sent in reinforcements. They then easily marched on to Mexico City and installed Maximillian. Mexico was under French occupation for a few years before America supplied the Mexicans with arms to overthrow Maximillian. We probably would have stepped in before the French conquered Mexico in 1864, but we had our own Civil War to worry about.

Sorry ED but the key word here is later. And just an FYI....winning a "battle" is NOT winning the war. They won their battle and choose to celebrate it. I look at it as the perfect opportunity for some really good Mexican food and a lot of alcohol.

Sorry ED but the key word here is later. And just an FYI....winning a "battle" is NOT winning the war. They won their battle and choose to celebrate it. I look at it as the perfect opportunity for some really good Mexican food and a lot of alcohol.

DrMiler, when are reinforcements supposed to be sent? Before? I specifically said the Mexicans didn't win that war, not that one. The French captured Mexico City in 1864 and installed Maximillian as Emperor of Mexico. After the American Civil War eneded, the American government supplied Mexican rebels in their fight against Maximillian. He was toppled by the rebels in 1867, and then Benito Juarez was reelected.

DrMiler, when are reinforcements supposed to be sent? Before? I specifically said the Mexicans didn't win that war, not that one. The French captured Mexico City in 1864 and installed Maximillian as Emperor of Mexico. After the American Civil War eneded, the American government supplied Mexican rebels in their fight against Maximillian. He was toppled by the rebels in 1867, and then Benito Juarez was reelected.

If you look at it as one war, and not 2, the French did not win, and thus their record is intact.  0 for everything!

If you look at it as one war, and not 2, the French did not win, and thus their record is intact. 0 for everything!

True, but it's kind of hard to overlook the fact they installed an emperor of their choosing on Mexico. If I were a Mexican, I'd be hard pressed to spin that into anything but a loss. I guess you could base it on if there was a ceasing of major hostilities.