Abstract

STROBEL, Héctor. Anatomy of an Armed Force. The Army of the Center in the French Intervention, 1862-1863. Estud. hist. mod. contemp. Mex [online]. 2024, n.68, pp.61-92.  Epub Oct 22, 2024. ISSN 0185-2620.  https://doi.org/10.22201/iih.24485004e.2024.68.77908.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the army of the Center’s organization, as well as its military action during the French intervention, and its subsequent destruction. I aim to demonstrate that its creation was intricately connected to the commitment and public reintegration efforts of its creator, former president Ignacio Comonfort. He faced significant challenges such as political opposition, resource scarcity, resistance from certain authorities, and public reluctance to collaborate. These challenges, coupled with the desertion, ill-advised decisions, political intrigues, inadequate equipment, and insufficient training ultimately led to its ineffectiveness. With a focus on political and military history, this article examines various primary sources such as Comonfort’s official and private correspondence, soldiers’ testimonies, newspaper articles, and military reports.

Keywords : war; recruitment; levy; Mexico; French intervention; nineteenth century.

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