Saturday, May 7, 2022

Seven Things About Cinco de Mayo-- Part 3: Maximilian's Out. Juarez and Dias Battle for Control

5.  Continued.

With money running low in his coffers, Napoleon III decided in 1866 to end France's occupation of Mexico.  

Maximilian  unwisely stayed and briefly fought before surrendering his troops after they were routed at  Queretaro.  On June19, 1867, he and his generals were executed by firing squad.

6.  Porfirio Diaz began making a name for himself at Puebla.

Porfirio Diaz, Mexico's longest-serving president,  was a relatively unknown cavalry commander until the Battle of  Puebla, where he outflanked the French on their third charge and sent them into disorderly retreat.

Over then next several years, he won battles at Oaxaca and elsewhere.  Following the war, however, Diaz became  so disillusioned with his one-time friend Juarez that he unsuccessfully ran for president against him.

He later launched a couple coup attempts, finally seizing power in 1876.  Except for one four-year  break, his reign lasted until 1911, when he was finally deposed by the Mexican Revolution.

--Cooter


No comments: