During the French-Mexican War (1861-1867), an outnumbered Mexican army defeats a powerful invading French force at Puebla on May 5, 1862. The retreat of the French troops at the Battle of Puebla represents a great moral victory for the people of Mexico, symbolizing the country’s ability to defend its sovereignty against a powerful foreign nation.
In 1861, Benito Juarez had become president of Mexico, a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement.
Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III, decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juarez and his government into retreat.
Certain that French victory would come swiftly in Mexico, roughly 6,000 French troops under General Charles de Lorencez set out in May 1862 to attack Puebla de Los Angeles. From his new headquarters in the north, Juarez rounded up a ragtag force of loyal men and sent them to Puebla. Meanwhile, Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza led an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 Mexicans as they fortified the town and prepared for the assault by the well-equipped French force.
