1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 French-led forces captured Mexico City on 10 June 1863.

With the French victory at the Siege of Puebla, the position of the Mexican Republic government was untenable and Benito Juárez decided to abandon the capital and continue the war through guerrilla warfare.

As soon as the federal government left the capital, General Bruno Martinez, commander of the garrison of the town, issued a manifesto in favor of intervention, recognizing French commanding general Élie Frédéric Forey as the highest authority in Mexico.

On June 10, the bulk of the French army entered Mexico City under the direct command of General Forey, and captured it for the Second French Empire.

Soon after, the French established a puppet state in the form of emperor Maximilian.