Last Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
It is the portrait of Emperor Maximilian, who was born on 6 July 1832. He was ArchDuke of Austria. He was married to Carlota, a Princess of Belgium(a). Maximillian was invited by Emperor Napolean III and the Mexican conservative to become the Emperor of Mexico in 1863. He accepted the offer of the Mexican throne, believing that the Mexican people had voted him their king. But in reality, the request resulted from a scheme between conservative Mexicans, who wanted to overturn the liberal government of President Benito Juarez, and the French emperor Napoleon III desired to incorporate Mexico into his sphere of influence(b).Nevertheless, ArchDuke accepted the offer and arrived in Mexico in 1864. The conservatives and the French army welcomed him. The country had two competing groups contesting to represent the Mexcian nation: the liberal forces of Juarez and forces loyal to the crown, backed by the French military.
Upon the arrival of Emperor Maximillian, he declared a political amnesty for all liberals who wished to join the Empire. This move made him win over moderate liberals such as Jose Fernando, Ramirez Jose Mario Lanza, Manuel Orozciu Berra, and Santiago Vidcurri. He prioritized reforming his ministers and the Imperial Mexican Army. To the dismay of conservatives and the church, Emperor Maximillian upheld several liberal policies proposed by Juarez. He held the same view as Juarez concerning reforming the powerful Mexcian church and the powerful colonial institution(c). The laws included in the Reform law were land reforms, religious freedom, and extending the right to vote for all people. In addition, he continued Lerdo Law which prohibited elites, the Roman Catholic Church, and indigenous communities from holding title to a large swath of land.
It created friction between the Conservative supporters and Emperor Maximillian. The Conservatives sought a leader to defend the Mexcian colonizers’ tradition—the one who would protect their land and support their monopoly on trade. Maximillian was more progressive and aligned more toward liberal policy.
The final blow for Maximillian came from the French. The French were growing concerned about the rising power of Prussia and persistent United States pressure to remove their military presence from Mexico. The French eventually withdrew their troops from Mexico. Emperor Maximillian failed to delay the french withdrawal from the country. Maximillian faced the reality of the French army’s exit and his loss of support from the conservatives. He had left with barely a couple of thousand loyalist soldiers. He was no match against the forces of Benito Juarez, the President of Mexico. He was ultimately defeated and captured by troops loyal to Jaurez. He was executed on 19 June 1867 by President Benito Juarez as a message against any new idea of invading Mexico by the great powers of Europe.
Although, Maximillian held a view similar to Jaurez. He supported various reforms enacted by the former liberals and Juarez President. He also enacted laws and invested in the development of the country. However, he faced the neighboring United States of America, which was against any presence of European power in his backyard. The opposition from the Liberals was strong, and the United States backed them. The conservative found him more liberal and was shocked that Maximillian would not support the continuation of laws favoring the conservative hold on the country. It was a period when most Mexicans moved away from the notion of Empire or Royalty in Mexico. His reign was possible only due to the presence of the French army and the loyalist conservative. When he lost their support, it ended the Last Emperor of Mexico.
Work Cited:
a))Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico
hrc.contentdm.oclc.org
b)Maximilian, archduke of Austria and emperor of Mexico
Britannica.com
c) Footnote: Benito Juarez(1806-1872) Against powerful Church and colonial institution.