Pastry war

This event is consider as the first French intervention in México. After de independence in 1821, Mexico went into a period of internal and external strife. Internally, the dispute over how the government should be structured led to widespread disorder. Amid this internal chaos, the destruction and looting of private property was a common occurrence. In his conflict many Mexican citizens and foreigners were affected for this caos in the country without compensation and voice. In the external situation of the country, Mexico struggled to gain recognition and develop diplomatic ties with other nations. The relationship between Mexico and France proved to be exceptionally tense due to several reasons.  In that moment Mexico was an allie with Spain but the king Luis XVIII refused to recognize Mexico as a sovereign nation. It was not until 1826 that unofficial ties between Mexico and France were made following the establishment of trade relations between France and a Mexican company. 

Later, after the House of Bourbon’s fall from power, France in 1830 finally recognized and established diplomatic relations with Mexico. But later there was another big friction between this 2 countries because the higher taxation on French goods by the mexicans in comparison to the trade deals with the United States and Britain. 

But, which was the reason to start this war?

All started in 1828 in that time several French citizens residing in Mexico City, including a pastry chef (hence the name of the conflict) surnamed Remontel, demanded reparations for the damages suffered, when Mexican officials caused damage to their premises. He initially took his complaint to the Mexican government, however, the government scoffed at his exorbitant request for 60,000 pesos as compensation (the value of Remotel's shop in that time was 1000 pesos).That sum was the equivalent of 165 years worth of wages for the average worker at the time. Later and many tries, this pastry chef ask for help to his country so that México would take charge of the damages. 

The request of Remontel was one among many which caught the attention especially of King Louis-Philippe. Subsequently, Louis-Philippe proceeded to demand 600,000 pesos from the Mexican government to cover the damages of more French citizens, but the government of Mexico didn't agree to pay. France acted quickly and a French fleet under Admiral Charles Baudin was dispatched to Mexico, and on 16 April 1838, initiated a blockade of the port of Veracruz. This blockade was effective in cutting off the bulk of Mexican foreign trade. President Anastasio Bustamante doubled down on his refusal to pay, insisting Mexico would not pay one peso unless the blockade was lifted.

After seven months of fruitless diplomatic disputes on 27 November 1838, France started to bombards the fort at San Juan de Ulua, which was established at the entrance to the port of Veracruz, then Bustamante declare a war. Admiral Baudin was quick to seize the opportunity this provided and he launched an invasion of Veracruz. Within days, 30,000 French soldiers occupied Veracruz and had captured the entire Mexican Navy trapped in the harbor by the blockade.

The general Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana saw this opportunity to redeem himself. He offered his services to the mexican government but he and his army was defeated. That wasn't all, after 7 months the economy was also devastated. Finally, Mexico without any option approached to the British to negotiate a settlement with the French. After a few months of negotiations a deal was reached. Mexico would pay to France the 600,000 pesos and the 60,000 pesos to Remontel.

This war was the beginning of the destiny of Mexico, because the country end in devastated conditions and later this was unlucky for the other wars that would came later.

References:

https://www.gob.mx/sedena/documentos/16-de-abril-de-1838-inicio-de-la-guerra-de-los-pasteles 

https://historyofyesterday.com/the-pastry-war-1838-43699084f620