The French Intervention

The French Intervention

Because of the difficult economic situation after so many years of civil war the Mexican government declared a temporary moratorium on the payment of the foreign debt on July 17, 1861.

October 31, 1861. Spain, France and Britain signed a convention in London agreeing to send a military expedition to Mexico to demand pay. ment of their claims.

December 17, 1861. The Spanish troops disembarked in Veracruz; the British troops on January 6 and the French on the 8th.

After the signing of the agreements called the Preliminares de la Soledad on February 19, 1862, the Spanish and British troops withdrew, leaving only the French.

May 5, 1862. General Ignacio Zaragoza, commanding the Eastern Army, defeated the French at the battle of Puebla.

On December 22, 1862, General Elie Forey took over command of the French troops from the Count of Lorencez. He received large reinforcements and advanced towards the central plateau.

From March 16 to May 17, 1863 the Mexican troops under General Jesus Gonzalez Ortega heroically stood siege in Puebla. Finally Puebla was obliged to surrender to the French through lack of both food and ammunition.

March 31, 1863. With the French expeditionary force advancing, Juarez left Mexico City, followed by the Republican government.

French troops entered the capital on June 10, 1863. A junta of Notables was selected that decided that Mexico should become a monarchy under the name of the Mexican Empire. The crown of Mexico was offered to the Austrian archduke, Maximilian of Hapsburg.

on to: Maximillan's Empire