In 1836, Texas rebelled, objecting to increasing control from Mexico City. Texas declared its independence and in 1846 joined the United States.

Mexico objected and the United States invaded Mexico. The war ended with a siege of Mexico City and the fortress of Chapultepec.

As a consequence, Mexico lost vast amounts of land in Arizona, California and New Mexico.

After the war, internal discontent continued. In 1858, Benito Juarez, a full-blooded Zapotecan Indian, became Mexico's president. His liberal reform program, however, made enemies.

The conservatives of the country who were against the government turned to France for help. Napoleon III sent the brother of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef to be Emperor of Mexico.

For three years, Maximilian attempted to rule Mexico and establish a stable government, in the process lending a colorful period to Mexican history. He turned the fortress of Chapultepec into a beautiful palace and built the handsome boulevard of Paseo de la Reforma. France soon lost control of Mexico, however.

Maxililian was executed, and Juarez returned as president until his death. Juarez is considered by many as Mexico's greatest leader...