Saint Patrick Battalion

BENEMÉRITA UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE PUEBLA FACULTAD DE LENGUAS CENTRO DE AUTO-ACCESO Y TECNOLOGIA – CU

The Saint Patrick's Battalion 1st Part

Objective: To infer meanings by learning some historical facts.

Level 204 Time: 50 min.

Pre-activity: How much do you know about this historical event in Mexico? Choose the right answer.

1. During the war with The United States, Mexico lost three territories, they were: a) California, Texas and Nevada. b) Alta California, Nuevo Mexico and Texas. c) California, Nuevo Mexico and Texas.

2. Who was the president of Mexico at that time? a) Benito Juárez. b) Antonio López de Santa Anna. c) Guadalupe Victoria.

3. Who was the president of The United States at that time? a) James Knox Polk. b) Abraham Lincoln. c) George Washington.

Instructions: Read the following paragraphs and select the best option.

Background (1) Throughout their history, Mexico and Ireland have experienced many similar events, in spite of their physical distance.

Both countries are catholic, they have been dominated by other nations, and migration has been part of their history. Because these events have had such an impact on Mexico, it is often said that there is a real Irish Presence in Mexican grounds.

(2) William Lamport, born in 1615, was one of many Irishmen who became famous in Mexico for his adventurous life. The story tells us that a scandalous love affair caused him to flee to Mexico (Nueva España), where he was moved by the poverty and degradation of Indian and African slaves. He was accused of plotting a war of independence against the government, which led to his imprisonment. After ten years, he escaped and lived as a fugitive, continuing his life and love affairs in the Nueva España. Eventually, he was captured and sentenced to death by the Inquisition, writing his name into a legendary martyrdom. At the time, his adventurous and charitable lifestyle had such an impact that citizens dubbed him as “El Zorro”.

(3) Another prominent Irishman who had a hand in Mexican politics was Dublin-born Hugh O'Connor, who moved to Nueva España to

A plaque commemorates Patricios in Mexico.

Los

San

escape the harsh conditions that reigned in Ireland at that time. In his adopted homeland, he became one of the most notable bureaucrats, taking office as governor of the region of Texas and commander of the northern frontier. He was also the founder of the town now known as Tucson, Arizona. During the 18th Century, several bureaucrats and officers, who represented Spain in Mexico, were either Irish or of Irish descendants. O'Connor was one of the most important and distinguished.

(4) A third example of an individual who motivated immigration and increased the Irish presence in Mexico was James Power, who founded a new Irish settlement under Mexican jurisdiction in the State of Texas. Due to his efforts, the laws in Texas particularly favoured Irish immigration.

(5) The Refugio and San Patricio were areas of south Texas colonized by the Irish. Heading this colonization were four Irish businessmen, James Power and James Heweston (in Refugio) and John McMullen and James McGloin (in San Patricio). These men made contracts to colonize the land with people who were "Irish, Catholic and of good moral character." Power and Hewetson contracted with the Mexican government to bring over oppressed Irish settlers to colonize the area. Power travelled to his hometown of Ballygarrett, and eventually organized some 600 people to emigrate.

(6) Many immigration stories were triggered by the potato famine of 1845, which brought devastation not only to Ireland, but also to the rest of Europe. For the Irish in particular, it was the beginning of mass evictions, starvation, sickness, and death for thousands. Some Irish were fortunate enough to afford the fare for an escape to the New World. Yet even while escaping, thousands died as a result of inhuman conditions aboard England’s vessels.

Activity 1 1. In paragraph 1, it is said that Mexico and Ireland have many similarities; for example: a) Both were dominate nations. b) Both were dominated nations. c)Both were impacted nations.

2. In paragraph 2, “El Zorro” is a: a) Surname b) Nickname

c) First name

3. In paragraph 6, “starvation” is closest in meaning to: a) hunger b) diet c) appetite (7) The trouble did not end once the Irish arrived in America. By the middle of the 19th century, the enormous number of Irish-Catholic immigrants dwelling in the United States increased the sentiment of hatred towards the Irish. Names and phrases like, "that Yankee hates Paddy," were common. Because they were victims of prejudice, the Irish found themselves becoming sympathetic to Mexicans.

Subsequently, many of them deviated from their original plans of settling in the United States and crossed into Mexico.

(8) In the spring of 1846, the United States was eager to invade Mexico. According to some historians, the ostensible intention was to collect on past-due loans and indemnities; the more likely reason, however, was to provide the United States with control of the ports of San Francisco and San Diego, the trade route through New Mexico's territory, and the rich mineral resources of the Nevada territory (which belonged to the Republic of Mexico). The United States had

previously offered $5 million dollars to purchase New Mexico's territory and $25 million dollars for California, but Mexico had refused. At the time, Irish immigrants felt empathy for Mexico, who it was seen as another Catholic country being invaded by Protestant foreigners. In turn, they decided to fight with the Mexican battalions.

(9) The following are some excerpts of what was said in those times: "Can you fight by the side of those who put fire to your temples in Boston and Philadelphia? Did you witness such dreadful crimes and sacrileges without making a solemn vow to our Lord? If you are Catholic, the same as we, if you follow the doctrines of Our Saviour, why are you murdering your brethren? Why are you antagonistic to those who defend their country and your own God?"

The Irish division was known as Los San Patricios, or "Those of Saint Patrick." It participated in all the major battles of the war and was cited for bravery by General López de Santa Anna, the Mexican Commander in Chief and President. At the penultimate battle of the war, these Irishmen fought until their ammunition was exhausted, and even then they tore down the white flag raised by their Mexican comrades, preferring to struggle on with bayonets. Despite their brave resistance, 85 (percent / people) of the Irish battalion were captured and sentenced to bizarre tortures and deaths at the hands of the Americans, resulting in what is considered even today as the "largest hanging affair in North America." The event had a profound effect in Mexico. Since then, many authors have written novels and history books about the subject. And monuments and statues honouring Los Patricios have been erected in major Mexican cities.

Movies have been filmed and even special dates have been marked on the Mexican calendar, to commemorate Irish aid. One example of these films is “One Man’s Hero” (El Batallón de San Patricio/Héroes sin Patria), (1998), directed by Lance Hool, or songs dedicated to the Saint Patrick’s Battalion like David Rovic’s song.

(10) In almost every Mexican account of the war, Los San Patricios are considered heroes who fought for the noble ideals of religion and a just cause against a Protestant invader of a peaceful nation. In U.S. history, Los San Patricios are often portrayed as deserters, traitors, and malcontents who joined the other side for land or money. Now, thanks to the highly regarded research of Michael Hogan and his book, The Irish Soldiers of Mexico, there is a much more objective analysis of the “San Patricios” phenomenon.

(11) The battle influenced Mexico in such a way that it has become a critical development in the official version of Mexico's history. Every year, September 12 is remembered and celebrated. Recently, after 150 years, Mexico remembered the St. Patrick's Battalion with full

military honours at the Plaza San Jacinto. A military band even performed the Mexican and Irish national anthems. In 1993, the Irish began their own ceremony to honour the San Patricios in Clifden, Galway.

(12) In 1997, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo commemorated the 150th anniversary of the execution of the San Patricios at a ceremony in Mexico City's San Jacinto Plaza, where the first twenty hangings were staged. Both the Republic of Ireland and Mexico jointly issued commemorative postage stamps to mark this anniversary.

Activity 2 1. In paragraph 7 "that Yankee hates Paddy," refers to: a) Americans and British b) Americans and Irish c) Americans and Mexicans 2. In paragraph 7, find the antonym for “sympathetic”: a) good-tempered b) cordial c) unfeeling 3. In paragraph 8, according to the reading, the best definition for “empathy” is: a) Understanding and entering into another's feelings. b) Having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings. c) 4. In paragraph 8, “eager” is closest in meaning to: a) disinterested b) impassive c) anxious Post-activity

Questions about the reading

1. What day is the Saint Patrick’s Battalion remembered in Mexico? a) March 17. b) September 12. c) September 15.

2. According to the text, what were the USA’s real intentions to invade Mexico? a) To have the control of the ports in California and the mineral sources in the Nevada territory. b) To collect on past-due loans and indemnities. c) To control America.

3. What happened to the “San Patricios”? a) They were deported to Ireland. b) They were hung. c) They were sent to jail.

4. In which place in Mexico City the St. Patrick's Battalion is honoured?

a) Plaza de San Jacinto . c) Plaza de la Democracia.

b) Plaza de las Tres Culturas.

5. In which city of Ireland does the ceremony take place? a) Limerick, Cork. b) Dublin. c) Clifden, Galway.

6. The influence of The Battalion of Saint Patrick can be found in: a) In the cities. b) In novels, monuments and films. c) In Mexican and Irish flags.

Preactivity: Activity 1:

1-b) 1-b

2-b) 2-b)

3-a).

3-b).

Activity 2:

1-b) 6-a).

1-b)

2-c)

3-a)

4-c)

5-b)

2-a)

3-b)

4-a)

5-c).

Postactivity:

REFERENCE

http://www.geocities.com/bajorama/OBrienClanofMexico.html.Ibidem

http://www.northwexford.com/ballygarrett_history.htm.

Davis, Graham. Irish pioneers in Mexican and revolutionary Texas.

1st ed. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, c.2002. http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0407f.asp. http://www.dayproductions.com/in_distribution/years.htm. http://www.taringa.net/posts/links/73923/cronolog%C3%ADa-deintervenciones-militares-en-Aca-Lati.html EZLN, Documentos y Comunicados. Crónica de Carlos Monsiváis. Era, México DF, 1995. http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Juan_O'Gorman.html. http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/irish.html http://vivasancarlos.com/defected.html Salum, Rose Mary. The Irish presence in Mexico. (2005). http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/ireland0/sp.html http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagen:Sanpatricioshang.jpg http://zedillo.presidencia.gob.mx/pages/disc/sep97/12sep97.html http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4000/is_200507/ai_n14683963

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/one_mans_hero/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4BGrNrkbMU http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ http://www.wordreference.com Adapted by Raúl García Báez The mass hanging of San Patricios, as portrayed by Samuel Chamberlain, c1867

BENEMÉRITA UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE PUEBLA FACULTAD DE LENGUAS CENTRO DE AUTO-ACCESO Y TECNOLOGIA – CU

2nd part

The Saint Patrick's Battalion Objective: To infer meanings from context; to get main ideas.

Level: 204 Time 45 min.

Preactivity: This is the second and last part of the Saint Patrick Battalion.

1. Do you remember in which year The U.S.A. showed its intention to invade Mexico? a) 1810 b) 1846 c) 1900 2. How much did The U.S.A. offer for New Mexico and California? a) $ 25 for New Mexico and $ 25 for California. b) $5 for New Mexico and $25 for California. c) $15 for New Mexico and $ 25 for California.

3. In which year was the 150th anniversary of The Saint Patrick’s Battalion celebrated by the Mexican president Ernesto Zedillo? a) 1990 b) 1997 c) 1999

The Irish defected (1) These Irish immigrants originally joined the USA Army to obtain citizenship while fleeing from the cruelty of the British Government only to witness similar cruelties against the innocent people of Mexico.

(2) Soon after enlisting in The USA Army, the San Patricios began to see they were fighting on the side on injustice. They saw the United States carrying out a huge, greedy and cruel land grab, reminiscent of the English occupation of Ireland. The killing, looting, rape and senseless destroying of Mexican civilian property reminded them of the British injustice back in Ireland.

(3) Those who arrived in the United States faced bigoted campaigns, similar to today's reactionary immigrant bashing. Irish immigrants faced police violence and murder, like many oppressed immigrants today.

(4) They did not want to be on the side of the exploiters, the expansionists, religious bigots and the slave owners. Southern states were nearer to Mexico and a high percentage of The USA troops came from that area. Most were British or Scottish Protestant background and not very friendly to Catholics. This prejudice still thrives in Northern Ireland.

(5) Declaring oneself to be Irish and Catholic in the U.S. army at that time was akin to declaring oneself Jewish in Nazi Germany. Religion was another major issue in the conflict.

(6) As for the formation of the battalion, the decision to join the Mexican side was probably due more to impulse and emotion like many of Ireland's rebellions, including the Easter Uprising of 1916.

"Nevertheless," the courage of the San Patricios, their sense of loyalty to their new cause and their continuous allegiance to Mexico even after whippings, brandings and imprisonment, forged an indelible seal of honour on their sacrifice."

Fr Eugene Mc Namara (7) During the trials, another significant event occurred when the apprehension and execution of Fr Eugene McNamara was called for.

Fr McNamara was named as a principal conspirator. A native of Ireland who began working as an apostolic missionary in Mexico more than two years before the start of the war, McNamara plotted with the Mexican foreign minister on schemes to encourage Irish-born soldiers to defect from the US army.

(8) One plan was to offer them land in California after the war if they defected. Apart from his role in the war, Fr McNamara regularly visited California and even before the war was consulting with the Mexican government about a plan to bring ten thousand Irish immigrants to settle in the Sacramento Valley area. The priest's plan was foiled because of the outbreak of the war and the fact that Mexico lost what is now the state of California to the US. (9) However, had there not been a war and the ten thousand Irish had settled there, Mexico could have rivalled Argentina as the country with the largest Irish population outside of the English-speaking become a reality, he was fortunate enough to escape execution by eluding the squads of US soldiers looking for him, and returning to Ireland.

(10) Furthermore, it cleared that the Irish deserters of the Saint Patrick's Battalion were in no way representative of the Irish-born soldiers who made up one-fourth of all enlisted men in the US Army during the US-Mexican War. There were seventeen totally Irish companies which saw action in this war; many were highly decorated units such as the Emmet Guards from Albany, New York; the Jasper Greens of Savannah, Georgia; the Mobile Volunteers of Alabama; the Pittsburgh Hibernian Greens.

(11) The US army at that time was made up of bigoted individuals who were either part of the Revolutionary War many supporting the British side which preceded it, or the Civil War, which followed shortly afterward. Like the Civil War, the Irish fought on both sides. It is a fact that Irish made up a large part of The USA Army.

(12) The army of George Washington was about one-third Irish and an even higher percentage during the terrible winter at Valley Forge.

There were Irish brigades on both sides of the Civil War. Irish immigrants were granted a US citizenship if they joined the Army and literally did the dirty work for the US politicians and rich at that time.

The wealthy US citizens bought their way out of the army by paying an Irishman to fight in their place.

ACTIVITY

1. In paragraph 1 “fleeing” is closest in meaning to (you must choose two options): a) escape

b) run away

c) hide

2. In paragraph 2 “looting” is closest in meaning to:

a) rob

b) hold

c) seize

3. In paragraph 6 “nevertheless” is closest in meaning to: a) whereas

b) however

c) although

4. In paragraph 7 “plotted” is closest in meaning to: a) conspire

b) site

c) machinate

5. In paragraph 11 “bigoted” is closest in meaning to: a) tolerant

b) intolerant

c) prejudice

THE IRISH INFLUENCE IN MEXICO (13) The Irish in Mexico have an honourable reputation and a respectable legacy. To this day, an Irishman will be told countless times about the famous "Irish martyrs" who defected from the U.S. Army and gave their lives trying to save Mexico from U.S. aggression.

(14) The St. Patrick's Battalion impacted Mexico's social movements more than any one can imagine. In 1996, almost 150 years after the historic event that marked Irish influence in Mexico, Marcos, the spokesman of the repressed and marginalized people of Chiapas, invoked the spirit of Los San Patricios in one of his famous speeches against the Mexican Government: "When Mexico was fighting, in the last century, against the empire of the bars and crooked stars, there was a group of soldiers who fought on the side of the Mexicans and this group was called 'St. Patrick's Battalion'. And so I am writing to you in the name of all of my “compañeros and compañeras”, because just as with the 'Saint Patrick's Battalion', we now see clearly that there are foreigners who love Mexico more than some natives who are now in the government do. And we hear that there were marches and songs and movies and other events so that there would not be war in Chiapas, which is the part of Mexico where we live and die.

We like the Irish around here!

(15) After the historic war against the United States, Irish and English miners continued to migrate to Mexico, replacing the former Spaniards. They mostly settled in mining areas such as Zacatecas and Guanajuato. Others invested in local and national business.

(16) Today, Irish involvement in Mexico takes many forms. Although not a major trading partner, Mexico is a profitable venture for Ireland: the European country exports far more than they import.

Irish-based multinational companies also operate in Mexico. As Mexican wages are lower than many countries in southeast Asia, where labour rights are severely restricted, economic and social

instability may not stop firms from "relocating" or expanding to Mexico.

(17) On the diplomatic front, Mexico recently opened an Embassy in Dublin, while Ireland has an Honorary Consul, Romulo O'Farrill Jr. Owner of several newspapers and a member of one of Mexico's most powerful families, O'Farrill is a good example of Irish names in prominent places. Only a few towns in Mexico lack a street named O'Brien, which, later on, became the Spanish "Obregón." There's also an "O'Brien City," better known as Ciudad Obregón, in the northern state of Sonora.

(18) In the realm of Mexican art and literature, Ireland is also a presence. Artist Juan O'Gorman was a painter and an architect who was born in Mexico City in 1905. The oldest son of an Irish father and Mexican mother, he adhered to a philosophy of "progressive socialism," which ultimately affected both his writings and buildings.

Influenced by Irish and European modernists, Juan O'Gorman produced some of the first examples of functionalist architecture in Mexico. "In his works, he integrated vernacular forms and detailing with modern structural and spatial arrangements to achieve a culturally, socially, and environmentally significant architecture." He also practiced mural painting. Some of his works include Autoretrato, De unas ruinas nacen otras ruinas, Monumento fúnebre del capitalismo industrial and UNAM's library. His buildings can be found throughout Mexico City.

(19) In literature, the Irish writer James Joyce had a huge influence in Mexico. His innovative monologue style and his linear writing structure greatly impacted the way in which the best Mexican writers approached literature. Salvador Elizondo was obsessed with his writings. He dedicated a complete book about Joyce called: Invocación y evocación de la infancia. James Joyce is also present in his short stories and novels. Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo is overflowing with the interior monologue that characterized Joyce's work.

(20) Ireland has had a historical impact on Mexico's culture, as evidenced by figures like William Lamport, Marcos or Juan O'Gorman.

Ireland has served as an example of international camaraderie that extends beyond culture and religion. Hopefully, in the years to come, this relationship will influence many of us, as we discover that violence is not the most powerful human resource.

POSTACTIVITY 1. In paragraph 13 you can refer to “Irish martyrs” with: a) One man’s hero

b) Irish Heroes

c) Irish Traitors

2. In the speech from paragraph 14, one idea could be: a) All foreigners love Mexico. b) Natives and politicians don’t love Mexico. c) Some natives in the government don’t love Mexico.

3. In paragraph 16 “wages” is not closest in meaning to: a) taxes b) payments c) salaries 4. In paragraph 18 “In the realm of Mexican art and literature”, can be substituted by: a) In the field of Mexican art and literature. b) In the time of Mexican art and literature. c) In the parcel of Mexican art and literature.

5. In paragraph 19, the main idea is: a) Mexican writers were obsessed by James Joyce. b) Mexican writers developed internal dialogue influenced by James Joyce. c) Mexican writers were greatly influenced by James Joyce.

PREACTIVITY

1. b)

ACTIVITY 4. a), c)

1. a), b) 5. b), c)

POSTACTIVITY

1. b) 5. c)

2. b)

3. b) 2. a), c)

2. c)

3. a)

3.

b),

c)

4. a)

The mass hanging of San Patricios, as portrayed by Samuel Chamberlain, c1867

REFERENCE

http://www.geocities.com/bajorama/OBrienClanofMexico.html.Ibidem http://www.northwexford.com/ballygarrett_history.htm.

Davis, Graham. Irish pioneers in Mexican and revolutionary Texas.

1st ed. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, c.2002.

http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0407f.asp. http://www.dayproductions.com/in_distribution/years.htm. http://www.taringa.net/posts/links/73923/cronolog%C3%ADa-deintervenciones-militares-en-Aca-Lati.html EZLN, Documentos y Comunicados. Crónica de Carlos Monsiváis. Era, México DF, 1995. http://www.greatbuildings.com/architects/Juan_O'Gorman.html. http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/irish.html http://vivasancarlos.com/defected.html Salum, Rose Mary. The Irish presence in Mexico. (2005). http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/ireland0/sp.html http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagen:Sanpatricioshang.jpg http://zedillo.presidencia.gob.mx/pages/disc/sep97/12sep97.html http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4000/is_200507/ai_n14683963

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/one_mans_hero/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4BGrNrkbMU http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ http://www.wordreference.com

Adapted by Raúl García Báez