The Second French Invasion of Mexico occurred between 1861 and 1867 under Napoleon III. By 1861, President Benito Juárez refused to pay the outstanding debt, triggering the Second French Invasion of Mexico. During this period, Mexico owed large sums of debt to European powers (Britain, France, & Spain), causing Napoleon to lead a conquest to gain territory in Mexico. In October 1861, Spain, France, and Britain met during the Treaty of London, finalizing their plan to invade Veracruz, Mexico. When European forces arrived, Napoleon took swift action to seize Mexico City, establishing a new six-year French colonial empire, leading to the ascension of Emperor Maximillian I.

During his rule, Emperor Maximilian I pushed for liberal policies such as land distribution and expanding civil liberties to appeal to liberal resistance movements. Benito Juárez, the former President of Mexico, worked to unify the liberal resistance and the conservative party to band together to expel Emperor Maximilian I and French forces from Mexican soil, resulting in a six-year-long battle for control of Mexico. Ultimately, who will become the one true leader of Mexico during this time of unrest?

Topic 1 -  Reforming the Mexican government 

The Reform Wars (1857-1861) were a civil war fought between the Conservative and Liberal parties of Mexico. The aftermath of the war left Mexico deeply divided and indebted to European powers, ultimately resulting in political instability and further conflict. After a liberal victory in the wars, Benito Juarez officially declared in July of 1861 that Mexico would not pay its debts to the Europeans, ultimately triggering the European invasion of Mexico.

Topic 2 - Resisting French invasion

The Battle of Puebla, located in Puebla de Zaragoza, marked a pivotal point in expelling European forces from Mexico. The Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5th, 1862, inspired a new flame in Mexican resistance fighters. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, Mexican forces utilized high ground to push away French soldiers, ultimately leading to a French retreat.