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Benito Juárez becomes President of Mexico
In 1861, Benito Juárez becomes the president of the debt-ridden country, Mexico. -
Benito Juárez defaults on Mexico's debts
From the Mexican Indepedence War with Spain and other wars, Mexico was left debt-ridden and the Mexican Army, exhausted. With no money, Juárez was forced to default on Mexico's debts to Britain, France, and Spain. Mexico managed to negotiate with Britain and Spain but France saw this as an oppurtunity to take over the country. Led by Napolean III, France would later invade the country. -
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French-Mexican War
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The French storm Veracruz
A well-armed French fleet land at Veracruz causing President Juárez and his goverment to retreat. -
French send troops to take out Puebla de Los Angeles
Certain of victory, the French send 6,000 troops to Puebla de Los Angeles -
Battle at Puebla
The 6,000 French troops led byGeneral Charles Latrille de Lorencez face 2,000 Mexican troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening when the French retreated. The French had lost around 1000 soldiers while Mexico had lost nearly 100. Although it wasn't a major victory, the Battle at Puebla bolstered the resistance movement. Ingnacio Zaragoza was then made a national hero and the city of Puebla was renamed after him. -
Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian was installed as Emperor of Mexico
After hearing news of the Mexican victory at Puebla, Napolen sent 60,000 more troops to tke control of the country. Within a year the Mexican army was defeated and Napolean gave Mexico to Maximillian who ran the country badly from the start. The U.S. did not approve of the new leader but couldn't help the situation because they were still fighting their Civil War. -
Mexicans still emboldened under French Rule
During French rule, Mexico was still hopeful and emboldened by the victory at Pueblo. -
Mexico gains independence from France
With help from the U.S., Mexico was free of their French rulers and executed their former emperor, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian.
