Cinco de Mayo Lesson, Page 2

Who led the Mexican forces to victory over the French during the Battle of Puebla?

• General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín led the Mexican forces.

• He had fewer soldiers, and they were not as well equipped as the French, but they beat back repeated French assaults.

• Zaragoza died of typhoid fever a few months after the Battle of Puebla when he was just 33 years old.

Who was the President of Mexico at the time of the French invasion?

• Benito Pablo Juárez García was president.

• He is considered Mexico's greatest leader.

• He served five terms as the President of Mexico, from 1858-1872.

Who is this man?

• He is Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico.

• Napoleon III of France proclaimed him Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864.

• In 1867, he was executed by Republican forces led by Benito Juárez.