The Austrian Emperor of Mexico: The Story of Maximilian I

Early Mexican History

Mexico was a colony of Spain but successfully threw off Spanish rule thanks to the Mexican War for Independence which saw Mexico become a sovereign nation in 1821. The New nation established a constitution in 1824 but tense relations with political factions and their burgeoning neighbor to the north presented big challenges for the young country. Mexico allowed a few American Settlers into Texas to try and populate the relatively uninhabited area. When these settlers became unruly and rebelling against Mexican control, Mexico was dragged into the Texan War for Independence and soon lost control of that territory. Nine years later, the US came back for another helping of Mexico during the Mexican-American War. The well-funded and well-armed US army proved too much for the Mexican Army and three years later the American Flag flew over the Capitol, Mexico city. The War ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in which for a fee, the US took control over most of Northern Mexico, which is now the states of California, Arizona New Mexico Nevada, and parts of Colorado and Utah. While fighting for their life against the bully US, Mexico faced political divisions at home, as Liberals agitated for reform while being blocked by the ruling conservative party.  The conservative party favored the status quo which earned them support from European powers, especially France. Europe still had a hard time accepting that Mexico was an independent nation. This is also a time when Europe still frowned upon democracy as evidenced by the failure of the 1848 political uprising. Europe could tolerate a hierarchy dominated by the aristocracy that the Conservative party supported, but they couldn’t stand to see a flourishing liberal democracy with suffrage for all supported by the liberal party. This struggle came to a climax when the young Mexican government couldn’t pay back loans from several European banks. Going behind the back of their country, several aristocrats offered a solution, would a European like to become emperor of Mexico and they asked Ferdinand Maximillains Joseph the position. After negotiating with Napoleon III of France for French military support, the Austrian Duke arrived in Mexico and the French Army captured Mexico City In October 1863, Joseph took the throne and took the name Maximilian I of Mexico. Mexico had itself and emperor and a country on the verge of civil war.

Reign

Maximillian never came close to having the favor of his subjects, as liberal President Benito Juarez and his allies never accepted him and even members of the conservative party weren’t keen on his presence. Maximmilia’s only support came from the French Military convoy and some members of the aristocracy. Maximilian had mixed relations with powers of the world as his empire established diplomatic relations with several European powers, but invoked the ire of the US, who likely would have taken pervasive function except for the fact they were involved in their own Civil War. Maximillian angered his conservative backers when he failed to institute conservative policies and kept many of Benito Juarez’s liberal ones. Maximilian’s reign began to decline when the American Civil War concluded and America could get back to doing what it does best. Interfering with countries in Latin America. The US invoked the Monroe Doctrine, which states no European power should interfere in the Western Hemisphere and recognized Benito Juarez’s Republican government as the legitimate ruler of Mexican. The US would conveniently lose track of weapons depot and give them to Juarez’s forces. The prospect of an invasion from the US caused much of Maximillian’s Mexican allies to abandon him and his only support came from the French Army. Maximillian made two last-ditch efforts to stay in power and gain allies. His first move was the “Black Decree” which ordered the execution of anyone caught in an armed group without authority from Maximiloia’s government. This order was targeted at Juarez’s supporters and it is estimated that over 11,000 of Benito Juarez’s supporters were executed. This harsh order did not intimidate Juarez’s resistance, but only encouraged it and it caused Maximillian to lose more allies and Juarez’s resistance efforts grew. The other effort was inviting defeated Confederates from the US to form the new Virginia Colony that supported Maximillian’s empire. The Colonists would face a similar fate to Maximilian. The final nail in Maximillian’s coffin was when Napoleon III ordered the French Army to leave Mexico and return to France. Napoleon did this for two strategic reasons. He did not want to make enemies out of the powerful US by continuing to prop up a government that violated the US’s policies and more importantly, Napoleon III grew concerned over Otto Von Biscmarc’s German unification and preparations for war. Napoleon’s concerns would prove correct as Bismarck invaded France marking the start of the Franco-Prussian war. Germany embarrassed France quickly defeating their armies, capturing Napoleon himself and eventually Paris. The French army was the solitary thing keeping Maximillian in power. Without it, Maximillian had no allies and no one to prevent Juarez’s forces from taking power back. Maximillian was doomed.

Benito Juarez president of the Mexican Republic and leader of resistance to Maximilian’s reign

Final actions and death

Maximilian is captured by Benito Juarez’s forces

Maximilian would continue to hopelessly fight with a few thousand loyalists but the writing was on the wall. Eventually, Maximilian was isolated and besieged in the city of Queretaro. Maximilian held out for several weeks but decided to attempt to escape. Maximilian tried a desperate escape from the city by leading the cavalry division through enemy lines, allowing him to escape. This plan failed miserably and Juarez’s forces quickly captured the former emperor. A military court ordered Maximilian to face execution. This move caused a backlash among some of Europe’s prominent figures. Juarez decided to go through with the sentence because he wanted to send a message that Mexico would not be interfered with by Europe ever again. Maximilian faced execution by firing squad on June 19, 1867. Maximilian made a brief speech before his death and then his blood was spilled. Mexico was officially a sovereign nation again

The Execution of Maximilian

Legacy

Maximilian leaves behind a complicated legacy as some people praise his liberal reforms and bravery, while others criticize his obtuseness and undemocratic actions. Regardless, the Austrian Emperor of Mexico is a fascinating footnote about how some political wheeling and dealing can drastically affect a nation’s history forever.