The Pastry War : A Forgotten Chapter in Latin American History

The Pastry War may sound like the title of a comedy film. In fact it was a little-known war which took place from November 1838 to March 1839. What was the cause of this oft forgotten conflict? The Pastry War was named after events related to the ransacking of Mexico City’s Parisian marketplace back in 1828. Rarely mentioned in history, it was named “The Parian Riot” in reference to its location. Parián is the Spanish word for market. In an unprecedented event, a mob of 5,000 people descended upon Mexico’s capital and ransacked an upscale marketplace. Numerous luxury shops and establishments were targeted, including one owned by a pastry chef named Monsieur Remontel (more on this later). The actual riot lasted less than 24 hours but its effects were longstanding. The exact sequence of events remains an obscure chapter in history. One thing is certain — Mexico’s elite and expat French citizens simultaneously lost their sense of security. Although brief, the events of 1828 highlighted preexisting tensions between Mexico and France, eventually setting the stage for The Pastry War a decade later.

Representing a culmination of longstanding political tensions between France and Mexico, The Pastry War would lead to several unexpected consequences. Financial decimation of French citizens living in Mexico coupled with the Mexican government’s refusal to repay debt owed to the French government set into motion a series of tumultuous events. The seeds for the conflict were planted years earlier following the Parian Riot. Pastry chef Monsieur Remontel never recovered from the looting of his shop in the upscale suburban Tacubaya district of Mexico City. In a claim to King Louis-Phillipe, the pastry chef requested financial compensation from the Mexican government for the destruction of his business. According to reports, the rioters were mostly comprised of masses of people from impoverished and rural areas. But according to Remontel, it was actually uniformed Mexican Army officers who were responsible for the complete destruction of his shop. To add insult to injury, they savagely devoured his pastries. This act fueled the chefs anger resulting in an exorbitant claim of 60,000 Pesos for damages (his shop was estimated to be worth around 1,000 Pesos at the time). Remontel initially asked the Mexican government for compensation but was flatly denied. He subsequently appealed to the French government which then demanded compensation from the Mexican government on his behalf. Diplomatic relations continued to deteriorate. It didn’t help that the Mexican government was majorly in debt and had already defaulted on a large amount of loans from France. Finally in 1838, the growing tensions, civil disturbances, riots and general feeling of disrespect came to a head. The French government gave Mexico an ultimatum to repay the debt or else. When Mexico refused, the French government initiated a trade blockade, further weakening the Mexican economy. As the conflict escalated, French troops invaded and occupied the city of Veracruz and captured the entire Mexican Navy. The Mexican government expelled all French citizens living in Mexico. Previously exiled and retired, Santa Anna returned to military service and fought against France in The Battle of Veracruz. Wounded in battle, Santa Anna’s lower left leg had to be amputated below the knee, requiring him to wear a prosthetic leg for the remainder of his lifetime. The French ultimately defeated Mexico at Veracruz and won The Pastry War. Economically and militarily weakened, Mexican President Bustamante appealed to the British government who helped negotiate a treaty whereby Mexico agreed to pay 600,000 pesos to France, thereby ending the war on 9 March 1839.