The Last Emperor of Mexico: A Disaster in the New World

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Cultural depictions and portrayals [ edit ] The Execution of Emperor Maximilian (last version, 1868–69), oil on canvas, 252 × 305 cm. Kunsthalle Mannheim It was certainly not the honorable end that Maximilian had hoped for, but his memory turned even more tragic closer to home. The sympathy between many in the United States and Mexico to defend the principle of republican government in the Americas was genuine. And Washington’s support for Juárez is a rare example of shared interests combining for an outcome beneficial to both countries. Indeed, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said as much to Secretary of State Antony Blinken during discussions at the National Palace in October 2021. It should, however, be remembered that for many Mexican supporters of Maximilian it was the trauma of the US-Mexican War that convinced them that a monarchy was the best means to prevent the loss of more territory to the United States in the first place.

Composer Franz Liszt included a "Marche funèbre, en mémoire de Maximilian I, empereur de Mexique" (a funeral march, in memory of Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico) among the pieces in his famous collection of piano pieces entitled Années de pèlerinage. [137] There is a lesson in Maximilian’s story for the church too: Refusing any compromise with the modern world, especially to defend the clergy’s privilege and power, more likely leads to a total defeat than to even a partial victory.Although Maximilian had been brought to power with the support of Mexican conservatives expecting he would reverse the reforms of Mexican liberals, codified in the Constitution of 1857, Maximilian and Napoleon III did not want hardline Mexicans to control the regime. Napoleon III had a confidential policy known to his military commander Bazaine to marginalize the conservatives and create a moderate monarchy with wide support. [91] Maximilian was in agreement and sought to establish a regime that included liberals. In the summer of 1864 Maximilian declared a political amnesty for all liberals wishing to join the Empire. His conciliatory efforts eventually won over some moderate liberals such as José Fernando Ramírez, José María Lacunza, Manuel Orozco y Berra, and northern strongman Santiago Vidaurri, a former ally of Juárez. [92] The account covers the politics of Mexico of the time, the goals and policies of both the liberals and conservatives, and the ultimate downfall of the monarchy. Shawcross portrays Maximilian as a charismatic leader who (potentially) could have been successful if he had been an elected official. For example, he abolished debt peonage and published decrees in the language of the Aztecs. Carlota had significant influence on her husband, and her story is conveyed as equally significant. As Maximilian’s position became more precarious, she traveled to Europe to convince Napoleon III and Pope Pius IX to support their regime. She also experienced a mental breakdown while in Europe. Cunningham, Michele. Mexico and the Foreign Policy of Napoleon III (2001) 251 pp. online PhD version The marriage was not fruitful, producing no biological children. When they were Emperor and Empress of Mexico, they adopted on 9 September 1865 Agustín de Iturbide y Green and his cousin Salvador de Iturbide y Marzán, both grandsons of Agustín de Iturbide, who had briefly reigned as emperor of the First Mexican Empire. Agustin's mother, Alicia Iturbide, an American who was born Alice Green, agreed to give up her child. Soon after, she changed her mind and sent messages to Maximilian to renounce the adoption contract, but she was simply deported from Mexico without her child. [46] Agustín and his cousin were granted the title Prince de Iturbide and the style of Highness by an imperial decree of 16 September 1865, and were ranked next in line after the reigning family. [47] In October 1866, as the Empire began to falter, Maximilian wrote to Alice Iturbide that he was returning her son, Agustín, to her care." [48]

This changed with the defeat of the Second Mexican Empire. The association of conservatives with Maximilian and foreign invasion entirely discredited their political project. Now, they were seen as traitors and the term “conservative” became pejorative. To be a conservative was not Mexican. This interpretation was embedded in the liberal historiography of the Porfiriato. So much so that when a writer called Francisco Bulnes published a work questioning Juárez’s role in defeating Maximilian the author received death threats and his publisher was boycotted. The Mexican Revolution, which lasted from 1910 through 1920, also appropriated the legend of Juárez into its own rhetoric of triumphant progress. Bancroft, Hubert Howe (1887). History of Mexico Volume VI 1861–1887. San Francisco: The History Company. pp.313–314. In 1864, Emperor Franz Joseph met Maximilian at his idyllic Miramare to sign the so-called “Family Pact.” This was ominous and devastating. In the pact, Maximilian reluctantly renounced all his rights to the Austrian throne should his brother ever pass. It was the final nail in the coffin for any of his hopes of becoming an Austrian monarch, but at least he had the Mexican throne to look forward to…right? Maximilian learned to command sailors and received a solid education regarding the technical aspects of navigation. On 10 September 1854, he was named Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian Navy and was granted the rank of counter admiral. As commander-in-chief, Maximilian carried out several reforms to modernize the naval forces. He was instrumental in creating the naval ports at Trieste and Pola (now Pula), as well as the battle fleet with which Admiral Wilhelm von Tegetthoff would later secure his victories. He was however criticized for diverting massive funds to ship building from the training, sea going experience, and morale of sailors. [39] He also initiated a large-scale scientific expedition (1857–1859).

14. He Forged A Strange Friendship

The crown of Mexico came at a high cost to Maximilian. Although he had extracted promises from Napoleon III to militarily support the regime, he was to be entirely dependent on him. Emperor Franz Joseph isolated his younger brother Maximilian by forcing him to renounce any rights to the Austrian throne or as an archduke of Austria. On 9 April 1864 Maximilian reluctantly agreed to the "Family Pact". [78] Maximilian formally accepted the crown of Mexico on 10 April 1864, and set sail for his new realm. [ citation needed] Arrival in Mexico [ edit ] The arrival of the Emperor and Empress of Mexico at Vera Cruz