Clash in Puebla: Commemoration of the city's encounter with incoming French forces
The Second French Invasion of Mexico: A Defining Moment
In the mid-19th century, Napoleon III of France had a bold plan. He aimed to establish a government subservient to France that would counteract the might of the United States. Using the excuse of a contentious external debt, the French army set off towards the heart of the Mexican republic.
In the midst of this power struggle, General Ignacio Zaragoza and his Mexican forces clashed with the French army of Count Lorencez in Puebla on May 5, 1862. To the chagrin of Napoleon III and his troops, Mexico emerged victorious in the Battle of Puebla.
Defeated and embarrassed, Lorencez was stripped of his command. He was replaced by Frederick Forey who arrived with a formidable force of 30,000 French soldiers and allies. Forey decided to lay siege to Puebla, cutting off the city's supplies in hopes of forcing the Mexicans to surrender.
The Siege of Puebla began on March 16, 1863. After two demanding months, the city fell to the French on May 17. As both sides grew weary, Forey had to intensify his efforts near the end to ensure a victory.
Puebla, generally conservative and supportive of French intervention, warmly welcomed Forey upon his triumphant entry on May 19, 1863. He was greeted by the clergy, business leaders, a celebratory Te Deum, and cries of "Long live the emperor!" from the Pueblans.
Following the fall of Puebla, President Benito Juárez prepared to flee the capital. Accompanied by his family, key ministers, the national archive, and the government, he departed, marking a critical moment in Mexico's history.
A Notable Milestone: The Battle of Camerone (1863)
During the same period, the Battle of Camerone took place. The French, despite suffering a heavy loss, managed to clear a path for their artillery to reach Puebla, ultimately giving Forey a strategic advantage. The sacrifice of the French Foreign Legion in Camerone became legendary, symbolizing bravery and tactical skill.
In the broader context, the Second French invasion of Mexico resulted in the short-lived establishment of a monarchy, significant economic disruption, and ongoing political shifts that would shape Mexico's future up until the Mexican Revolution in 1910. The Battle of Puebla stands as a symbol of Mexican resilience and pride during foreign intervention, celebrated annually as Cinco de Mayo.
- The defeat at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 didn't deter Napoleon III from pursuing his aspirations, as he dispatched Frederick Forey with 30,000 bank-backed forces to lay siege on Puebla in 1863.
- The political landscape in Puebla remained divided, with some forces still favoring France even after the Battle of Puebla in 1862, as evident by the warm welcome Forey received upon his entry in May 19, 1863.
- The resurgent French forces managed to resolve their external debt issue as they cleared a path for their artillery towards Puebla, following the Battle of Camerone in 1863.
- Despite the series of events in 1862-1863, including the Battles of Puebla and Camerone, and the fall of Puebla, Mexico's political structure would remain unsettled until the Mexican Revolution in 1910, with the struggle against foreign intervention serving as a constant theme in general news and war-and-conflicts stories.
