PASTRY WAR
1838 - 1839

The Pastry War was trouble between France and Mexico between 1838 and 1839. Back then Mexico wasn't exactly the nice and quiet place. Civil disorder damaged some property belonging to French individuals living in the country.

After Mexican soldiers had rocked down a French pastry cook's restaurant in Tacubaya, the cook asked the Mexican government for reimbursement. The Mexican government was a little hard of hearing on that ear. As the complaints piled up, the French government was ready to make a point.

All in all, the French government demanded 600,000 pesos from the Mexican government for all the trouble Frenchmen had suffered recently. To show the Mexicans that they were serious about the claim, the French sent a fleet to Veracruz. The fleet arrived and, on April 16, 1838, got busy attacking the San Juan de Ulúa fortress and occupying the city of Veracruz.

All of a sudden the Mexicans could hear again and, through Great Britain, made a guarantee of payment. That was good enough for the French and on March 9, 1839, they set sail direction home.

Any famous people involved? Yes. Mexican Antonio López de Santa Anna lost one of his legs while fighting.