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The Second French intervention in Mexico officially commenced in December 1861 and concluded in June 1867.
Answer: True
Explanation: The intervention spanned from December 8, 1861, to June 21, 1867.
Great Britain and Spain remained allied with France throughout the entire duration of the Second French intervention in Mexico.
Answer: False
Explanation: Great Britain and Spain withdrew their forces early in the conflict following the breakdown of negotiations at Orizaba in April 1862.
Napoleon III's primary strategic goal was solely to collect debts owed to France by Mexico.
Answer: False
Explanation: Beyond debt collection, Napoleon III aimed to establish a European-derived monarchy in Mexico to expand French influence and counter the United States.
The Spanish Expeditionary Force's initial purpose was to establish a Spanish monarchy in Mexico.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Spanish Expeditionary Force's initial purpose was to secure debt repayments from Mexico.
What was the primary stated objective of the Second French intervention in Mexico?
Answer: To enforce the collection of debts owed by Mexico to foreign powers.
Explanation: The intervention was ostensibly undertaken to enforce the collection of debts owed by Mexico to France, Great Britain, and Spain.
Beyond the stated objective of debt collection, what was Napoleon III's broader strategic aim in intervening in Mexico?
Answer: To establish a European-derived monarchy and counter U.S. influence.
Explanation: Napoleon III sought to establish a monarchy in Mexico as a means to expand French influence in the Americas and counterbalance the growing power of the United States.
Who led the initial Spanish contingent that occupied Veracruz in December 1861?
Answer: General Juan Prim
Explanation: General Juan Prim led the initial Spanish contingent that occupied Veracruz in December 1861.
What was the outcome of the negotiations at Orizaba in April 1862?
Answer: The negotiations broke down, leading Spain and Great Britain to withdraw.
Explanation: The negotiations at Orizaba broke down as France's intentions became clearer, prompting Spain and Great Britain to withdraw their forces.
What was the primary purpose of the Spanish Expeditionary Force upon its arrival in Mexico?
Answer: To secure debt repayments from Mexico.
Explanation: The Spanish Expeditionary Force's initial objective was to secure the repayment of debts owed by Mexico to Spain.
What was the strategic objective of Napoleon III's intervention beyond debt collection?
Answer: To establish a French-influenced monarchy and expand imperial power.
Explanation: Napoleon III's intervention aimed to establish a monarchy favorable to French interests, thereby expanding French imperial power and influence in the Americas.
The Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, was a decisive French victory that allowed them to advance rapidly towards Mexico City.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Battle of Puebla resulted in a significant victory for the Mexican Republican forces, delaying the French advance on Mexico City by a year.
The peak strength of the French expeditionary force in Mexico reached nearly 40,000 soldiers.
Answer: True
Explanation: At its peak in 1863, the French expeditionary force numbered 38,493 men.
The French capture of Puebla in 1863 was a minor event that did not significantly impact the occupation of Mexico City.
Answer: False
Explanation: The capture of Puebla in 1863 was a critical French military achievement that enabled their advance and occupation of Mexico City.
Veracruz was strategically unimportant during the intervention, serving only as a minor port.
Answer: False
Explanation: Veracruz was a key strategic port, serving as the primary landing point for intervention forces and vital for supply lines.
The Battle of Puebla, commemorated as Cinco de Mayo, resulted in:
Answer: A Mexican Republican victory that delayed the French advance.
Explanation: The Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, was a significant victory for the Mexican Republican forces, delaying the French advance for approximately one year.
What was the strategic significance of the French capture of Puebla and Orizaba in 1863?
Answer: It allowed the French forces to occupy Mexico City and establish the empire.
Explanation: The capture of Puebla and Orizaba in 1863 were crucial French military successes that paved the way for the occupation of Mexico City and the establishment of Maximilian's empire.
Emperor Maximilian's "Black Decree" mandated that captured Republican soldiers be tried in military courts before execution.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Black Decree" declared that armed opposition would be treated as banditry, authorizing summary execution without trial.
General Juan Prim led the French forces during the initial phase of the intervention.
Answer: False
Explanation: General Juan Prim led the initial Spanish contingent, not the French forces.
The "Assembly of Notables" unanimously voted to establish a republic after the French capture of Mexico City.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Assembly of Notables resolved to establish a constitutional monarchy and invited Archduke Maximilian to accept the throne.
What was the purpose of Maximilian's "Black Decree" issued in October 1865?
Answer: To declare that armed opposition would be treated as banditry, leading to summary execution.
Explanation: The "Black Decree" declared that individuals fighting against the Imperial government would be considered bandits and subject to summary execution.
What body nominated Archduke Maximilian to the throne of the Second Mexican Empire?
Answer: The Assembly of Notables.
Explanation: The Assembly of Notables, convened after the French capture of Mexico City, nominated Archduke Maximilian to the throne.
The "Belgian Legion" was a unit composed exclusively of Belgian volunteers serving under French command.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Belgian Legion" consisted of Belgian volunteers but served as part of Maximilian's Imperial Army, not directly under French command.
The Austrian Voluntary Corps primarily consisted of soldiers recruited solely from the Austrian Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Austrian Voluntary Corps included soldiers from various nationalities within the Austrian Empire, such as Hungarians and Poles.
The Egyptian Auxiliary Corps operated mainly in the northern frontier states of Mexico.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Egyptian Auxiliary Corps operated primarily in the Veracruz region.
Captain Yarka, a Romanian officer, was killed in single combat with a Republican colonel during the intervention.
Answer: False
Explanation: Captain Yarka engaged and killed a Republican colonel in single combat but was wounded, not killed.
Which of the following was NOT part of the Austrian Voluntary Corps?
Answer: Algerian Tirailleurs
Explanation: The Austrian Voluntary Corps included soldiers from various nationalities within the Danube Monarchy, but Algerian Tirailleurs were French colonial troops.
The Egyptian Auxiliary Corps operated primarily in which region of Mexico?
Answer: The Veracruz region.
Explanation: The Egyptian Auxiliary Corps operated effectively in the Veracruz region.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Tacámbaro involving the Belgian Legion?
Answer: The Belgian Legion successfully repelled the Republican attack.
Explanation: During the Battle of Tacámbaro, the Belgian Legion successfully defended the town against Republican forces.
The French counter-guerrilla corps was noted for its effectiveness but also associated with what?
Answer: A series of atrocities.
Explanation: The French counter-guerrilla corps, while effective, was associated with a series of documented atrocities.
Mexican liberals, led by Benito Juárez, actively supported the French intervention and the establishment of a monarchy.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mexican liberals, led by Benito Juárez, formed the primary opposition to the French intervention and the imposed monarchy, defending the Republic.
The American Civil War had no significant impact on the course of the Second French intervention in Mexico.
Answer: False
Explanation: The American Civil War provided Napoleon III an opportunity to intervene, and its conclusion allowed the U.S. to support Mexican Republicans, significantly impacting the intervention.
The United States officially recognized Maximilian's monarchy shortly after its establishment.
Answer: False
Explanation: The United States maintained a policy of non-recognition towards Maximilian's monarchy, viewing it as a violation of the Monroe Doctrine.
The northern frontier states were strategically unimportant for the Republican forces during the intervention.
Answer: False
Explanation: The northern frontier states were crucial for the Republican cause, providing revenue and serving as a conduit for U.S. aid.
Santiago Vidaurri remained loyal to Benito Juárez throughout the entire intervention period.
Answer: False
Explanation: Santiago Vidaurri initially broke with Juárez and later supported the Imperialists.
After the American Civil War, the U.S. government actively intervened militarily to support the Mexican Republicans.
Answer: False
Explanation: The U.S. government did not intervene militarily but facilitated material support, including arms, to the Mexican Republicans.
The McLane-Ocampo Treaty failed in the U.S. Senate primarily due to French opposition.
Answer: False
Explanation: The McLane-Ocampo Treaty failed due to intense political divisions within the U.S. Senate related to slavery and states' rights.
Who led the Mexican Republican forces against the French intervention?
Answer: Benito Juárez
Explanation: Benito Juárez led the Mexican Republican government and its forces in resistance against the French intervention.
How did the conclusion of the American Civil War affect the intervention?
Answer: It allowed the U.S. to provide crucial material support to the Mexican Republicans.
Explanation: Following the American Civil War, the U.S. government facilitated the transfer of arms and supplies to the Mexican Republicans, bolstering their capacity to resist the Empire.
What side did Santiago Vidaurri, governor of Nuevo León and Coahuila, ultimately take during the intervention?
Answer: Supported the Imperialists.
Explanation: Santiago Vidaurri eventually supported the Imperialists, aligning himself with Maximilian's regime.
Which U.S. general was involved in transferring additional supplies and weapons to the Mexican Republican army after the Civil War?
Answer: Philip Sheridan
Explanation: General Philip Sheridan was involved in facilitating the transfer of supplies and weapons to the Mexican Republican army after the conclusion of the American Civil War.
What was the strategic importance of the northern frontier states for the Republican cause?
Answer: They provided revenue and served as a conduit for U.S. aid.
Explanation: The northern frontier states were vital for the Republican cause, generating revenue and facilitating the flow of U.S. aid, including arms and supplies.
What was the primary reason for the failure of the McLane-Ocampo Treaty in the U.S. Senate?
Answer: Intense political divisions within the U.S. Senate.
Explanation: The McLane-Ocampo Treaty failed to pass the U.S. Senate due to deep political divisions within the Senate concerning slavery and states' rights.
Emperor Maximilian was executed by firing squad in Mexico City in June 1867.
Answer: False
Explanation: Emperor Maximilian was executed by firing squad on the Cerro de las Campanas near Querétaro, not in Mexico City.
The Siege of Querétaro concluded with the capture of Maximilian due to a betrayal by Colonel Miguel López.
Answer: True
Explanation: Colonel Miguel López's betrayal led to the opening of the city gates, resulting in Maximilian's capture at Querétaro.
The French withdrawal from northern Mexico in 1866 was a minor event that did not significantly alter the conflict's trajectory.
Answer: False
Explanation: The French withdrawal from northern Mexico in 1866 was a turning point, allowing Republican forces to regain territory and weakening the Imperialist position.
Which of the following was NOT a primary reason for the withdrawal of French troops from Mexico?
Answer: Increased military pressure from the United States.
Explanation: While the U.S. opposed the intervention, direct military pressure was not the primary driver for French withdrawal; rather, it was the combination of domestic issues, costs, and European geopolitical shifts.
Where were Emperor Maximilian and his key generals executed?
Answer: On the Cerro de las Campanas near Querétaro.
Explanation: Emperor Maximilian, along with Generals Miramón and Mejía, was executed by firing squad on the Cerro de las Campanas near Querétaro.
The betrayal at the Siege of Querétaro, which led to Maximilian's capture, was carried out by whom?
Answer: Colonel Miguel López
Explanation: Colonel Miguel López's betrayal by opening the city gates led to the capture of Maximilian and his generals during the Siege of Querétaro.
What was the significance of the French evacuation of Veracruz in March 1867?
Answer: It signified the final withdrawal of French military support for Maximilian.
Explanation: The evacuation of Veracruz marked the final withdrawal of French troops, leaving Maximilian's regime without foreign military backing and leading to its ultimate collapse.
The French intervention strengthened the Mexican Conservative Party, making it the dominant political force after the conflict.
Answer: False
Explanation: The intervention severely discredited the Mexican Conservative Party due to its alliance with foreign interventionists, leaving the Liberal Party dominant.
The French intervention led to the strengthening of the Mexican Conservative Party's influence in the post-intervention political landscape.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Conservative Party was severely discredited due to its alliance with the interventionists, weakening its influence after the conflict.
What was the long-term political consequence of the French intervention for the Mexican Conservative Party?
Answer: It was severely discredited due to its alliance with foreign interventionists.
Explanation: The Conservative Party's association with the French intervention led to its severe discrediting and diminished influence in the post-intervention political landscape.
What was the outcome of the Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893 mentioned in the context of French colonial policies?
Answer: France gained significant territorial concessions from Siam.
Explanation: The Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893 resulted in France securing significant territorial concessions from Siam, reflecting France's assertive colonial policies.