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In 1861, Benito Juárez becomes the president of the debt-ridden country, Mexico.
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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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A well-armed French fleet land at Veracruz causing President Juárez and his goverment to retreat.
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Certain of victory, the French send 6,000 troops to Puebla de Los Angeles
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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.
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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.
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During French rule, Mexico was still hopeful and emboldened by the victory at Pueblo.
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With help from the U.S., Mexico was free of their French rulers and executed their former emperor, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian.
