Napoleon III had been elected president before making himself emperor. Prestige and a chance to constrain American power are presented as incentives for intervention. Mexico also owed money to several European powers after its wars, including the Mexican-American War. In this interpretation, creditors were willing to leave Mexico alone while payments continued, making unpaid debt a practical cause of outside pressure.
Notable Point · 4:50-6:51
Mexican debts and Napoleon III's ambitions
French intervention combined creditor interests with Napoleon III's wish to limit United States influence in the Americas.