Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro, Cinco de Mayo!

  • Mexico's Debt

    Mexico's Debt
    President Benito Juárez declares that Mexico’s debt payments were to be put on hold for two years. France, Britain, and Spain go to Veracruz to get repaid.
  • Without Reimbursement

    Without Reimbursement
    EXACT DATE UNKNOWN After the countrys' requests for money, negotiation broke out, and Britain and Spain decided to extract their immediate requests. However, France saw this as a weak point in the country and a good point for France to build an empire on Mexico’s land, which they had been eager to do.
  • France Begins Invading Mexico

    France Begins Invading Mexico
    EXACT DATE UNKNOWN France brings its army into the gulf coast near Veracruz, and intends to continue toward Puebla and eventually to Mexico City, Mexico's capital.
  • Puebla Fights Back

    Puebla Fights Back
    At Puebla, though Mexico had a much smaller army than what the French sent, they were able to defeat France and stop the invasion and expansion. France had lost about 500 soldiers, whereas Mexico had only lost about 100. Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed to Puebla de Zaragoza in honor of General Zaragoza.
  • General Zaragoza Passes Away

    General Zaragoza Passes Away
    Leader of the Mexican Army, General Zaragoza, dies of typhoid fever.
  • France Strikes Again

    France Strikes Again
    EXACT DATE UNKNOWN About One year later, France sends in another 30,000 troops to attempt to take over Mexico.
  • France Gains Control

    France Gains Control
    EXACT DATE UNKNOWN The new troops sent in from France are successful in taking control of Mexico City. They declare a new ruler of the country, Maximilian I.
  • The United States Assists Mexico

    The United States Assists Mexico
    EXACT DATE UNKNOWN About three years later, after gaining more help from the United States, Mexico was able to begin taking fighting back against France and control again due to France’s later withdraw. Maximilian was captured and killed by the Mexican Militia’s forces.