One of the most heroic, yet tragic, episodes in 19th Century North American history is the story of the last Emperor of Mexico, Maximilian von Hapsburg. Born in Vienna in 1832, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph von Hapsburg was the brother of the pious and conservative Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria (later Austria-Hungary). Archduke Maximilian was trained for service in the navy and later became the commanding Grand Admiral of the Imperial & Royal fleet. In 1857 he married Princess Carlota, daughter of King Leopold I of Belgium. The two were a devoted couple, and despite many hardships, depended on and helped each other over the years.
While Maximilian was living happily in Italy the self-proclaimed Emperor of France, Louis Napoleon III, had invaded Mexico on the pretense of collecting debts which the Mexican government refused to pay. The United States was in the midst of Civil War and could not enforce the "Monroe Doctrine" but Napoleon knew he could never hope to rule France directly. Therefore, after listening to the Mexican conservatives in exile in Europe he decided to offer the crown of Mexico to Archduke Maximilian in a revived monarchy. Carlota was enthusiastic, but Maximilian was worried and stressed that he would take no action unless the Mexican people made it clear that they desired his presence.
In no time at all Napoleon and engineered a plebiscite and presented "evidence" to Maximilian that he was wanted and needed by the Mexicans. The couple learned Spanish, and after a grand send-off and a blessing from the Pope, sailed into Vera Cruz in 1864 and were escorted to Mexico City where the Austrian Archduke was crowned "Emperador Maximiliano I" of Mexico. However, although the French had defeated all regular opposition, the country was not pacified and a republican 'government-on-the-run' still existed under President Benito Juarez, which was propped up by money and materials from the United States.
Once settled in Mexico City, the new Imperial couple set an example for Christian royal leadership, which Mexico had not seen in decades. Empress Carlota held grand balls for the aristocracy and then donated the money to the poor houses. Unemployed Mexicans were put to work in the palace, and Emperor Maximilian worked more than any other Mexican leader to preserve the native history and culture in museums. Maximilian also proved that he was no one's puppet. He refused to bend to the wishes of the conservative party when they conflicted with the interests of Mexico. He adopted the heir of the Iturbide family so that the next monarch would be a Mexican, from a native Mexican family.
Despite many successes at home, the Emperor's fate ultimately hung on the victory or defeat of the Confederate States of America. When the Confederacy was defeated, the United States boosted support for Juarez' shadow government, marched a massive army to the border, and demanded that the French withdraw their forces. Although they were on the verge of victory, the French abandoned Maximilian to his enemies. With American support behind Juarez, Mexicans saw the hand writing on the wall and began to abandon the Emperor. In spite of the fact that he had been urged to flee, Emperor Maximilian was determined to stand by his adopted people and rode out to fight the final battle with his loyal Mexican brigades. At the city of Queretaro, the surrounded Imperial Army was betrayed and Emperor Maximilian taken prisoner. Although government around the world urged Juarez to release Maximilian, who had always acted in good faith and in the best interests of Mexico, the republican government ordered that the Emperor be shot. He was killed along with his two most loyal generals, Maximilian shouting "Long live Mexico", and his officers shouting, "Long live the Emperor!" |
