INTERVENCION FRANCESA The years of struggle led to the impoverishment of the country, so that the Liberal government had

no financial resources to resolve the situation in the country. Faced with this crisis Juarez announced the temporary suspension of the payment of all debts of the government. However, this measure was not accepted by England, Spain and France combined to force Mexico to pay the loans received. After negotiations between the Liberal government and the three countries, England and Spain withdrew, but not France who declared war on Mexico. Government economic affairs were in ruins due to military spending caused by the war. The war had hampered the performance of the agricultural, industrial and commercial. Economically, Mexico was bankrupt. France did not accept the proposal because Napoleon III Juarez wanted to facilitate their business and expand its influence in America. He allied with conservatives who wanted to oust the Liberal government and establish a monarchy, emperor of Mexico by appointing a European prince. The candidate was Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Hapsburg. So the country, in open bankruptcy, faced the French invasion. While this was brewing in Europe, in Mexico the first invading troops landed in Veracruz between December 1861 and January 1862.

Ignacio Zaragoza General Ignacio Zaragoza.Naci in Texas in 1829, when she was a Mexican province. He supported the Plan of Ayutla. He struggled to defend the constitutional order when the Conservatives ignored the Constitution of 1857. Three years later he was named Benito Jurez war minister, a post he left to take command of the Eastern Army that fought against the French forces during the operation. At the head of twelve thousand men arrived in Puebla and asked the government "the urgent dispatch of forces respectable (...) I'm crossing my camp, and is the enemy in front." Help came a day after Zaragoza's army defeated the French invaders. Zaragoza Juarez sent the report of the battle and he wrote: "The national arms have been covered with glory." Four months later, he died of typhoid.

The French invasion The Battle of Puebla The French army, under the command of General Lorencez, was defeated at the Battle of

Puebla on May 5, 1862, when he tried to storm the fort of Guadalupe. In that battle, the Mexican army Zacapoaxtlas supported by Indians, was led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. The French had the support of conservatives and the Church. This provided them control of the city of Puebla.

Out of the Liberal government of Mexico City With the advance of troops invasion, President Benito Juarez and his government were established in Paso del Norte, near the U.S. border.

Entry of the French capital The French led by General Bazaine dominated most of the country. Occupied Mexico City on June 10, 1862 and formed a provisional government was akin to them. A month later, a meeting of conservative rule offered the crown of Maximilian of Hapsburg Mexican. He conditioned his acceptance to the throne if he had the vote of the majority of the Mexican people and the support of the army and navy of France to strengthen the monarchy. Also agreed to pay the expenses of the war.

Maximilian's Empire Having made the capital in the port of Veracruz landed the Archduke of Austria, Ferdinand Maximilian of Hapsburg, and his wife, Carlota Amalia, who at the invitation of the Conservatives came to rule the country with the title of emperors Mxico.Emperatriz Carlota Amalia. Maximilian of Hapsburg. With the presence of Maximilian settled in the country two separate governments: the republican and imperial. Again, the Juarez government had to move to different places. The emperor had liberal ideas clashed with those of conservatives. Enacted laws similar to those that had developed Benito Juarez, but never implemented. With support of the people, organized and directed the Juarez fight to defeat the French and conservatives. Without the support of the Conservatives nor the French army, the emperor was defeated by the Liberals. In the end the only loyal to Maximilian were Mexican generals Miguel Miramon, Leonardo Mrquez Meja Toms. With them was established in Quertaro in

command of the imperial army, but were defeated. The imperialists ended up surrendering to the liberal troops. Maximilian, Miramon and Mejia were tried and sentenced to death. On July 19, 1867 the three men were shot at the foot of the Cerro de las Campanas. In late June 1867 order was restored in the country. Mexico was now a Republican and had shown the world that was able to defend its independence and sovereignty. The emperors Maximilian and Carlota lived in the castle of Chapultepec. Currently, many of their belongings are on display in the Castle Museum