Mexico's Last Emperor: His Story

The conservative party of Mexico had some supporters to the invasion of their country in 1862, by Napoleon III. Following civil war and differing ideologies about how the country should be governed, the Imperialists were vying for a return to a traditional monarchy. In 1864 they had their wish when the French put Archduke Maximilian on the throne, a man who managed only a short-lived reign of just three years, during a time of political instability that doomed the forward-thinking man to a tragic end.

Maximilian was always known for being a liberal thinker, and he accepted the offer of the Mexican crown without realizing that he was stepping into a virtual trap. As Emperor, he was shocked to discover the intolerable living conditions of the peasants in contrast to the upper class. His first act as ruler was to ban child labor and establish a cap on working hours. He also canceled all peasant debts over 10 pesos and forbade corporal punishment; poorhouses were helped with money raised by Carlota.

Forward-thinking laws and policies that were put into place by the deposed President Benito Juarez, were upheld by Max. It turned out to be an extremely unstable regime however; unfortunately for Maximilian, his views were too progressive for France and for the Mexican conservative party which had endeavored to put him in power. The liberal Republicans, on the other hand, were outraged at the invasion and refused to accept any Emperor as leader, even one who genuinely held similar ideological views.

By 1866, the tide had turned against France's interventions in the country. Napoleon III withdrew his forces from Mexico in the face of serious opposition from foreign nations. Carlota went to Europe to seek assistance from other noblemen, and even appealed to the Pope himself, but was refused aid. Though Maximilian was urged to flee the capital in the face of the inevitable, he refused to abandon his few allies; he and his generals held a successful siege against the oncoming Republican revolts, but were eventually overtaken.

In May 1867, the capital was recaptured by the Republicans. Maximilian was sentenced to death, despite numerous telegrams and letters from European heads of state (and even Victor Hugo) to spare his life. Benito Juarez, reinstated as leader, liked the former Emperor on a personal level but refused to budge, siting the Mexicans who had died in the siege and believing it necessary to send a very firm message to the world: Mexico would not tolerate another imposed foreign government.

Maximilian was executed on June 19 1867 by firing squad. Currently, he is considered to be a person who worked to better the lives of the Mexican people, but also as someone who should never have ruled at all.. His liberal ideas were of great help to the poor and working class, but he was doomed from the very start.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com