There have been several strange little wars throughout history, including the Soccer War and the War of Jenkin’s Ear. If you want to make the history books, and this website, you need a catchy name. The Guerra de los Pasteles (Spanish name) or the Guerre des Patisseries (French) started in 1838. Since independence in 1821, Mexico was ruled by a republic that could not maintain order and was riven by political factions. This resulted in lots of looting and destruction of private property, of citizens and foreigners. The victims asked the government for compensation, but it refused. So, the foreigners petitioned their home governments. One of those victims was Monsieur Remontel. He owned a pastry shop outside Mexico City. He claimed Mexican soldiers ransacked his shop. He asked King Louis-Philippe for 60,000 pesos (his shop has been reckoned to have been worth 1,000). What king doesn’t love a good little, easy war? A French fleet was sent to blockade all Mexican ports. On November 27, 1838 the fortress at Vera Cruz was bombarded and soon after, the port was captured (along with the entire Mexican navy). Gen. Santa Anna came out of retirement (or political exile after losing Texas) to save the day. He led an army to try to liberate Vera Cruz. In the failed process, he had his leg amputated after being hit by grapeshot. This loss (literally and physically) redeemed him and revived his career. The blockade ruined Mexico’s economy and it sued for peace in 1839. Mexico agreed to pay the 600,000 pesos, but didn’t. This would be one of the excuses for the French “intervention” of 1861 that led to Cinco de Mayo. Next year eat a pastry with your beer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastry_War
https://www.britannica.com/event/Pastry-War
https://historyofyesterday.com/the-pastry-war-1838-43699084f620
0 Comments