MAXIMILIAN
1832 - 1867

Maximilian was in full Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph and he was Archduke of Austria.

Maximilian's older brother was Emperor Francis Joseph. In 1857, Maximilian married Carlotta, or Carlota, daughter of Belgian King Leopold I.

Max was admiral of the Austrian navy and from 1857 - 1859 he was the governor-general of Lombardo-Venetia.

Maximilian felt flattered when he was offered the Mexican throne. He was crowned emperor on June 10, 1864, and the Emperor of Mexico from 1864 - 1867. 

Max did not have a clue.

First off, his empire was broke. But more importantly, Mexico already had a president since 1861 - Benito Juárez.

What was going on?

Benito Juárez tried to steer his country towards democracy, which alienated the small but powerful minority that had been living a comfortable life so far. Hence, wealthy conservative Mexicans and Napoleon III, one of Mexico's major creditors, tried to steer Benito Juárez towards ruin.

Their plan of action? Invite a fool to become emperor of Mexico. And so it happened.

Check the French-Mexican War to see what in the world French were doing in Mexico in the first place.

However, the emperor idea didn't sit well with the citizens of Mexico, and so they executed Maximilian on June 19, 1867 just outside of Querétaro, which is located north of Mexico City.
 

EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN ON HORSEBACK