Benito Juárez continued Mexico’s republican government during the French-backed Second Mexican Empire after Cinco de Mayo.
Juárez was president when French troops attacked Puebla in 1862. Although the Mexican victory stopped the first advance, France later captured Mexico City and supported a monarchy. The French offered the imperial throne to Maximilian of Austria, who became emperor in 1864.
Juárez did not recognize the empire. He moved the republican government across northern Mexico as French forces and imperial troops pursued it. His administration maintained Mexico’s constitutional government and organized resistance to the intervention.
France withdrew its troops in 1866 and 1867, partly because of changing European priorities and pressure from the United States after the American Civil War. Republican forces then defeated Maximilian’s supporters. Maximilian was captured at Querétaro and executed in 1867. Juárez returned to Mexico City and remained president until his death in 1872.