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Maximilian 1832-1867
Maximilian was
Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph,
the Archduke of Austria and Emperor of Mexico.
Maximilian's
Family
Maximilian's older brother was
Austria's
Emperor Francis Joseph.
In
1857, Maximilian married Carlotta,
or Charlotte, or Carlota,
daughter of Belgian King Leopold I
and his French wife Marie-Louise of Orléans.
Max's Wife Carlota
or, to be exact,
Marie-Charlotte-Amélie-Augustine-Victoire-Clémentine Léopoldine
Maximilian's Career
Max was admiral in the Austrian navy, and
from 1857 until 1859 he was the governor-general of Lombardo-Venetia.
Maximilian and the
Mexicans
Maximilian felt flattered when he was
offered the Mexican throne.
He was crowned emperor on June 10, 1864,
and ruled as Emperor of Mexico from 1864 until 1867.
Emperor
Maximilian on Horseback
The Mexicans thought this was a bad joke.
At best.
Either by choice or by lack of
ability, Maximilian didn't have a clue.
His empire was broke.
But
even more importantly, since 1861 Mexico already had a president —
the reform oriented and liberal
Benito Juárez.
What Was Going On in Mexico?
Benito Juárez tried to steer his country
towards democracy. This alienated the small but dominant 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 end the Benito Juárez
chapter.
But it was a tricky task because, at
the same time, civil
unrest had to be avoided. Mexico needed to stay intact, or just
intact enough so the powerful few could continue to milk it.
Mexico Udderly Tingled
Their plan of action?
Invite a qualified fool to
become emperor of Mexico.
And so it happened.
See also
French-Mexican War.
Mexico Begs to Differ
The citizens of Mexico executed Maximilian on
June 19, 1867, just outside of Querétaro, which is located north of
Mexico City.
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