| Maximilian of Mexico |
Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, Prince Imperial and Archduke of Austria
and Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, was the second son of
Archduke Franz Karl of Austria. His brother was Emperor Franz Josef of
Austria. Maximilian displayed an early taste for the arts and science,
especially botany. He quickly rose to high command in the Naval service,
and his distinguished service led to his appointment as viceroy of the
Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia in 1857. He married Princess Charlotte of
Belgium, daughter of King Leopold I, in the same year. They lived as the
Austrian regents in Milan until 1859. Austria lost control of most of its
Italian possessions soon after, and handsome Maximilian, not quite thirty
years old, and his pretty wife retired into private life at Trieste.
and Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, was the second son of
Archduke Franz Karl of Austria. His brother was Emperor Franz Josef of
Austria. Maximilian displayed an early taste for the arts and science,
especially botany. He quickly rose to high command in the Naval service,
and his distinguished service led to his appointment as viceroy of the
Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia in 1857. He married Princess Charlotte of
Belgium, daughter of King Leopold I, in the same year. They lived as the
Austrian regents in Milan until 1859. Austria lost control of most of its
Italian possessions soon after, and handsome Maximilian, not quite thirty
years old, and his pretty wife retired into private life at Trieste.
Juárez also suspended repayments on foreign debts, with the exception of those owed
to the United States. This led to the principal creditors, Britain, France and Spain,
sending a joint expeditionary force, which occupied the port of Vera Cruz in
December, 1861. Juarez then repaid most of the outstanding interest and agreed to
honor the debts. Britain and Spain withdrew their claims, but France continued the
war marching inland and occupying Mexico City. Left: NapoleonIII, top, Juarez, bottom
to the United States. This led to the principal creditors, Britain, France and Spain,
sending a joint expeditionary force, which occupied the port of Vera Cruz in
December, 1861. Juarez then repaid most of the outstanding interest and agreed to
honor the debts. Britain and Spain withdrew their claims, but France continued the
war marching inland and occupying Mexico City. Left: NapoleonIII, top, Juarez, bottom
This group of hardline recruiters were in exile because their faction had been defeated
in the bloody Reform War of 1857-60 which saw the triumph of liberal forces under
Benito Juárez, a self-made, self-educated Indian from the Sierra of Oaxaca. The
Mexican liberals, led by the unprincipled and radical Juárez and with the backing of
the United States, had seized power in 1860 and instigated a bloody anti-clerical policy
and confiscated the church’s money.
in the bloody Reform War of 1857-60 which saw the triumph of liberal forces under
Benito Juárez, a self-made, self-educated Indian from the Sierra of Oaxaca. The
Mexican liberals, led by the unprincipled and radical Juárez and with the backing of
the United States, had seized power in 1860 and instigated a bloody anti-clerical policy
and confiscated the church’s money.
Maximilian landed at Veracruz on May 28, 1864 and set up the royal
residence at Chapultepec Castle. Assured of protection by a French army,
and believing that his appointment had a popular base, the idealistic young
aristocrat and his wife were crowned in Mexico City on June 10, 1864.
Archduchess Charlotte was thereafter known as "Her Imperial Majesty
Empress Carlota". Maximillian forfeited of all his noble rights in Austria.
Within a short period of time Maximilian had fallen in love with the
beautiful landscape of his new country and it’s people. It was immediately
apparent that he was not to be a puppet of France. His interests became
that of Mexico and its people.
residence at Chapultepec Castle. Assured of protection by a French army,
and believing that his appointment had a popular base, the idealistic young
aristocrat and his wife were crowned in Mexico City on June 10, 1864.
Archduchess Charlotte was thereafter known as "Her Imperial Majesty
Empress Carlota". Maximillian forfeited of all his noble rights in Austria.
Within a short period of time Maximilian had fallen in love with the
beautiful landscape of his new country and it’s people. It was immediately
apparent that he was not to be a puppet of France. His interests became
that of Mexico and its people.
The welfare of all his subjects was always his first concern. One of his first acts as Emperor was to
restrict working hours and abolish child labor. He restored communal property, cancelled all debts for
peasants over 10 pesos, and forbade corporal punishment. He also decreed that peasants could no
longer be "traded" for the price of their debt. He upheld Benito Juarez's land reforms, educated the
Indians and the poor, encouraged Confederates to immigrate to Mexico and extended the right to
vote to the common man. Maximilian built museums to preserve Mexico's culture, and Empress
Carlota held parties for wealthy Mexicans to raise money for the poor houses.
restrict working hours and abolish child labor. He restored communal property, cancelled all debts for
peasants over 10 pesos, and forbade corporal punishment. He also decreed that peasants could no
longer be "traded" for the price of their debt. He upheld Benito Juarez's land reforms, educated the
Indians and the poor, encouraged Confederates to immigrate to Mexico and extended the right to
vote to the common man. Maximilian built museums to preserve Mexico's culture, and Empress
Carlota held parties for wealthy Mexicans to raise money for the poor houses.
Chapultepec Castle was a residence for Mexican rulers dating back to the
14th Century when Nezahualcoyotl, the King of Texcoco, ordered a palace
to be built at the foot of the hill. The Emperor hired several European and
Mexican architects to bring to the castle a degree of splendor and elegance.
He hired botanists to plan the gardens, brought in furniture, antiquities and
art, and ordered construction of a straight boulevard connecting the Imperial
residence with the city center.
14th Century when Nezahualcoyotl, the King of Texcoco, ordered a palace
to be built at the foot of the hill. The Emperor hired several European and
Mexican architects to bring to the castle a degree of splendor and elegance.
He hired botanists to plan the gardens, brought in furniture, antiquities and
art, and ordered construction of a straight boulevard connecting the Imperial
residence with the city center.
Maximilian was trying to put Mexico on the modern map and on a par with the other great nations,
and he became as irritating to his one time supporters as he was to Juárez. When the Pope's
representative arrived in Mexico and presented him with a 6-point memorandum which would
abolish the reforms and give the Church back its privileges, Maximilian rejected the proposals, thus
eroding support among the ultra-clericals. The French, realizing that they had under-estimated
Maximillian and did not have the puppet they wanted, were ready to withdraw.
and he became as irritating to his one time supporters as he was to Juárez. When the Pope's
representative arrived in Mexico and presented him with a 6-point memorandum which would
abolish the reforms and give the Church back its privileges, Maximilian rejected the proposals, thus
eroding support among the ultra-clericals. The French, realizing that they had under-estimated
Maximillian and did not have the puppet they wanted, were ready to withdraw.
As Maximilian and Carlota had no children, they adopted both grandsons of Agustín de Iturbide, who
had briefly reigned as Emperor of Mexico in the 1820s. They gave young Agustín the title of "His
Highness, the Prince of Iturbide" and intended to groom him as heir to the throne. Juárez was
unimpressed by Maximilian's agreeable policies, and refused to compromise or work with
Maximilian. When offered an amnesty if he would swear allegiance to the crown, Juárez refused. In
desperation to end the fighting, Maximilian ordered all captured followers of Juárez to be shot.
had briefly reigned as Emperor of Mexico in the 1820s. They gave young Agustín the title of "His
Highness, the Prince of Iturbide" and intended to groom him as heir to the throne. Juárez was
unimpressed by Maximilian's agreeable policies, and refused to compromise or work with
Maximilian. When offered an amnesty if he would swear allegiance to the crown, Juárez refused. In
desperation to end the fighting, Maximilian ordered all captured followers of Juárez to be shot.
At this time, Maximilian’s wife Carlota journeyed to Europe to seek help from Napoleon III and even
Pope Pius IX. On August 21,1866 the Empress of Mexico received formal notification that
Napoleon lll would not comply with her request. On the same day, a defeated Carlota sent her
husband a telegram in Spanish: "Todo es inutil" (All is useless). On August 23, 1866, after a long and
jolting carriage ride over the mountains, she became ill. Carlota left Paris a broken woman, arriving
at her father’s old villa on Lake Como exhausted and confused. Her doctor advised her to rest. She
did not. On September 27, 1866, the Empress of Mexico met with Pope Pius IX in Rome after
another grueling trip. She presented the Pope with a draft stating how she needed his help to
convince Napoleon lll to continue to support Maximilian in Mexico, but the Pope was unwilling to act
at all. She had a complete mental breakdown and became convinced she had been poisoned by the
French, and she begged to be allowed to stay in the Vatican, which she visited daily, pleading in
vain. She never went back to Mexico, and she never regained her sanity.
Pope Pius IX. On August 21,1866 the Empress of Mexico received formal notification that
Napoleon lll would not comply with her request. On the same day, a defeated Carlota sent her
husband a telegram in Spanish: "Todo es inutil" (All is useless). On August 23, 1866, after a long and
jolting carriage ride over the mountains, she became ill. Carlota left Paris a broken woman, arriving
at her father’s old villa on Lake Como exhausted and confused. Her doctor advised her to rest. She
did not. On September 27, 1866, the Empress of Mexico met with Pope Pius IX in Rome after
another grueling trip. She presented the Pope with a draft stating how she needed his help to
convince Napoleon lll to continue to support Maximilian in Mexico, but the Pope was unwilling to act
at all. She had a complete mental breakdown and became convinced she had been poisoned by the
French, and she begged to be allowed to stay in the Vatican, which she visited daily, pleading in
vain. She never went back to Mexico, and she never regained her sanity.
Maximilian remained behind, refusing to abdicate and desert "his people"
when the French pulled out of Mexico in March, 1867. Juarez and his army
returned. Withdrawing to Querétaro in February 1867, Maximilian and his
loyal followers sustained a siege for several weeks, until May 11 when they
planned an attempted escape through enemy lines.
when the French pulled out of Mexico in March, 1867. Juarez and his army
returned. Withdrawing to Querétaro in February 1867, Maximilian and his
loyal followers sustained a siege for several weeks, until May 11 when they
planned an attempted escape through enemy lines.
An embittered Juárez refused to commute the sentence and personally signed the death warrant.
35 year old Maximilian and his loyal generals Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejía died bravely before
a firing squad on June 19, 1867. The Emperor spoke only in Spanish and gave his executioners a
portion of gold not to shoot him in the head so that his mother could see his face whole. His last
words were ":"I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood which is about
to be shed, be for the good of the country. Viva Mexico, viva la independencia!" Some say he then
mumbled: "Poor Carlota!". The first volley did not kill him, and he slumped to the ground in agony.
The second volley did, the Juarista firing squad shot him in the eyes despite having taken the money.
35 year old Maximilian and his loyal generals Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejía died bravely before
a firing squad on June 19, 1867. The Emperor spoke only in Spanish and gave his executioners a
portion of gold not to shoot him in the head so that his mother could see his face whole. His last
words were ":"I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood which is about
to be shed, be for the good of the country. Viva Mexico, viva la independencia!" Some say he then
mumbled: "Poor Carlota!". The first volley did not kill him, and he slumped to the ground in agony.
The second volley did, the Juarista firing squad shot him in the eyes despite having taken the money.
Juárez reluctantly had Maximilian's body returned to Austria after having it first embalmed and
displayed for all to see. It was finally sent to its rest in the imperial crypt in Vienna. Liszt wrote a
Funeral March in Maximilian's honor in 1867, which was published as No. 6 of Années de
Pèlerinage, Troisieme Année in 1883. Legend has it that Maximilian wanted to hear his favourite
song, Sebastian Yradier's La Paloma, one last time before the rifles of Juárez's troops executed him.
Empress Carlota died on January 16, 1927 in an old, gloomy castle in Belgium at age eighty-six,
believing she was still in Mexico and clinging to a doll she called "Max".
displayed for all to see. It was finally sent to its rest in the imperial crypt in Vienna. Liszt wrote a
Funeral March in Maximilian's honor in 1867, which was published as No. 6 of Années de
Pèlerinage, Troisieme Année in 1883. Legend has it that Maximilian wanted to hear his favourite
song, Sebastian Yradier's La Paloma, one last time before the rifles of Juárez's troops executed him.
Empress Carlota died on January 16, 1927 in an old, gloomy castle in Belgium at age eighty-six,
believing she was still in Mexico and clinging to a doll she called "Max".
Supposedly, Maximilian collected some five million dollars in jewelry and gold coins, gold and silver plate and
some bullion before his capture and had loyal aides hide it in 45 flour barrels loaded onto wagons with the
instructions for the drivers to go to San Antonio, Texas and then to Galveston, Texas where the treasure could
be sent to Austria to Carlota. A group referred to as "Maximilianos" left Mexico with Maximilian’s treasure but
were killed by robbers before journey's end, their bodies and wagons burned. The robbers could only carry so
much, so they buried more of the treasure than they took with them, with the hopes of returning later. The group
of robbers were later attacked and murdered by Indians and only one survived that knew the whereabouts of
Maximilian’s treasure, and he later even presented a treasure map of the location before he, too, died. The
(mythical?) treasure is still buried to this day somewhere around Castle Gap, hidden high in the King Mountains
north of El Paso, Texas.
Agustín de Iturbide y Green, 1863-1925, the "adopted" son, was born in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., the son
of Emperor Agustin I's second son Ángel de Iturbide y Huarte 1816 – 1872 and his American wife Alice Green.
When Maximilian and Carlota took the throne, they invited the Iturbide family back to Mexico. Since
Maximilian and Carlota could have no children together, they offered to adopt Iturbide y Green, and formally
named Iturbide y Green their heir in 1865 with the title His Highness, Prince de Iturbide. With the overthrow of
the monarchy, his biological family took him to England and then back to the United States. Iturbide y Green
renounced his claim to the throne and title when he came of age. He returned to Mexico and served as an officer
in the Mexican army. He was forced into exile after criticizing President Porfirio Díaz, and returned to
Georgetown where he taught at Georgetown University for many years. He died in Washington, D.C
Don Salvador of Iturbide 1849-1895, son of His Highness Prince Salvador of Iturbide-Huarte and Her Highness,
Princess Rosario of Marzán-Guisasola; Grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Austin I, and great-great-grandson of
the Marquis of Altamira, was adopted by Maximilian in 1865. His adoptive mother, Carlota, sent him to Paris,
where he lived until 1867 when he moved to Hungary. When living in the Austrian empire, he claimed from
Franz Joseph a pension as his right as being an official son of Maximilian I. While living in Hungary, he married
in 1871, and mingled with other petty royals, eventually moving to Venice where he lived in a rented palace. On
a visit to Corsica, he died of an ruptured appendix .
A rumor surfaced that Maximilian's purported mistress, Concepción Sedano y Leguizano,17, bore him a son.
some bullion before his capture and had loyal aides hide it in 45 flour barrels loaded onto wagons with the
instructions for the drivers to go to San Antonio, Texas and then to Galveston, Texas where the treasure could
be sent to Austria to Carlota. A group referred to as "Maximilianos" left Mexico with Maximilian’s treasure but
were killed by robbers before journey's end, their bodies and wagons burned. The robbers could only carry so
much, so they buried more of the treasure than they took with them, with the hopes of returning later. The group
of robbers were later attacked and murdered by Indians and only one survived that knew the whereabouts of
Maximilian’s treasure, and he later even presented a treasure map of the location before he, too, died. The
(mythical?) treasure is still buried to this day somewhere around Castle Gap, hidden high in the King Mountains
north of El Paso, Texas.
Agustín de Iturbide y Green, 1863-1925, the "adopted" son, was born in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., the son
of Emperor Agustin I's second son Ángel de Iturbide y Huarte 1816 – 1872 and his American wife Alice Green.
When Maximilian and Carlota took the throne, they invited the Iturbide family back to Mexico. Since
Maximilian and Carlota could have no children together, they offered to adopt Iturbide y Green, and formally
named Iturbide y Green their heir in 1865 with the title His Highness, Prince de Iturbide. With the overthrow of
the monarchy, his biological family took him to England and then back to the United States. Iturbide y Green
renounced his claim to the throne and title when he came of age. He returned to Mexico and served as an officer
in the Mexican army. He was forced into exile after criticizing President Porfirio Díaz, and returned to
Georgetown where he taught at Georgetown University for many years. He died in Washington, D.C
Don Salvador of Iturbide 1849-1895, son of His Highness Prince Salvador of Iturbide-Huarte and Her Highness,
Princess Rosario of Marzán-Guisasola; Grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Austin I, and great-great-grandson of
the Marquis of Altamira, was adopted by Maximilian in 1865. His adoptive mother, Carlota, sent him to Paris,
where he lived until 1867 when he moved to Hungary. When living in the Austrian empire, he claimed from
Franz Joseph a pension as his right as being an official son of Maximilian I. While living in Hungary, he married
in 1871, and mingled with other petty royals, eventually moving to Venice where he lived in a rented palace. On
a visit to Corsica, he died of an ruptured appendix .
A rumor surfaced that Maximilian's purported mistress, Concepción Sedano y Leguizano,17, bore him a son.
| The Duping of a Gentle Prince |
| His Adopted and Beloved People |
| Between a Rock and a Cactus |
| Poor Carlota goes Begging for Help |
| For the Good of the Country... |
Notes:
Their foremost representative was a Yucatan lawyer named José Maria Gutiérrez who went to see
Maximilian in October, 1863 to lure him to Mexico to be the country's "redeemer". In May, 1863
French troops drove Juárez out of Mexico City and the French commander General Forey convoked
a puppet "Supreme Council" who issued a "spontaneous" call for Maximilian to come and rule
Mexico. Gutiérrez and his associates had deceived the gullible archduke. The council held a
fraudulent "plebiscite" in 1863 and used the results to convince Maximilian that the people
desperately wanted him.
Maximilian in October, 1863 to lure him to Mexico to be the country's "redeemer". In May, 1863
French troops drove Juárez out of Mexico City and the French commander General Forey convoked
a puppet "Supreme Council" who issued a "spontaneous" call for Maximilian to come and rule
Mexico. Gutiérrez and his associates had deceived the gullible archduke. The council held a
fraudulent "plebiscite" in 1863 and used the results to convince Maximilian that the people
desperately wanted him.
Site of the Execution.
The "Hill of Bells"
The "Hill of Bells"
by Manet
There, he had built the beautiful castle Miramar. His passion for ancient civilizations and botany
inspired him to plan an expedition to the tropical forests of Brazil. Fate had something else in store
for him. He would become Emperor of Mexico.
inspired him to plan an expedition to the tropical forests of Brazil. Fate had something else in store
for him. He would become Emperor of Mexico.
Maximilian was tall, dignified, sincere and liberal in his social philosophy. Although he showed skill
and courage militarily, he had a soft, romantic nature. He loved the fine arts and had deep interest in
and appreciation of other cultures. When Napoleon III sought to extend French imperial power, he
and a conservative group of Mexicans schemed to crown Maximilian Emperor of Mexico, and in
1859 they first approached him with the proposal.
and courage militarily, he had a soft, romantic nature. He loved the fine arts and had deep interest in
and appreciation of other cultures. When Napoleon III sought to extend French imperial power, he
and a conservative group of Mexicans schemed to crown Maximilian Emperor of Mexico, and in
1859 they first approached him with the proposal.
More on the ill-fated family
Colonel López, one of his closest aides, betrayed both Maximilian and the
town, turning them into the hands of the enemy republicans. The city fell on
May 15, 1867 before he could carry out his escape, and he was captured.
Two months later, Maximilian was condemned to death. European royalty
and leading figures such as Garibaldi, the great Italian liberator and hero to
Juárez, sent telegrams and letters to Mexico pleading for Maximilian's life.
town, turning them into the hands of the enemy republicans. The city fell on
May 15, 1867 before he could carry out his escape, and he was captured.
Two months later, Maximilian was condemned to death. European royalty
and leading figures such as Garibaldi, the great Italian liberator and hero to
Juárez, sent telegrams and letters to Mexico pleading for Maximilian's life.
The exiled group under Napoleon III wanted their money back, but also wanted the power of the
Church and the big landowners, weakened by Juárez and his followers, to again be dominant.
Church and the big landowners, weakened by Juárez and his followers, to again be dominant.
By the spring of 1865, Maximilian's liberal social policies were under fire for their mounting expenses
and the American Civil War had come to an end. The United States then ordered the French to leave
Mexico as it was a clear violation of the Monroe Doctrine and they began supplying arms to
Maximilian's enemies. Napoleon III withdrew his troops in the face of Mexican resistance and U.S.
opposition. The certainty of Maximilian's abdication was apparent to almost everyone but him.
and the American Civil War had come to an end. The United States then ordered the French to leave
Mexico as it was a clear violation of the Monroe Doctrine and they began supplying arms to
Maximilian's enemies. Napoleon III withdrew his troops in the face of Mexican resistance and U.S.
opposition. The certainty of Maximilian's abdication was apparent to almost everyone but him.