Maximilian of Austria
(Maximilian I of Mexico)
1832–1867
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Maximilian was born into a prominent family—his father was Archduke of Austria, and his brother would later become emperor of the country. Maximilian himself was made archduke as well as prince royal of Hungary and Bohemia. As a young man, he joined the Austrian Navy and quickly rose in rank, achieving the title of Commander-in Chief by the age of twenty-two. In this position, Maximilian carried out modernizing reforms and built several naval ports in Italy and Croatia. He also initiated an expedition in which the frigate SMS Novara became the first Austrian warship to circumnavigate the world. He was a well-known liberal, and in 1857 he was appointed viceroy of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, then a part of the Austrian Empire. He and his new wife, Princess Charlotte of Belgium, remained at their post until Emperor Franz Joseph I, angered by Maximilian’s liberal tendencies, dismissed them. They retired to Italy.
That same year, Maximilian was approached by Mexican monarchists who wished him to become Emperor of their country. Across the Atlantic, the French had invaded Mexico City and claimed the Mexican Empire on behalf of the Archduke, who finally consented and accepted the crown. His reign was difficult from the start, as the Liberal forces led by President Benito Juarez refused to recognize his authority. To the disappointment of his conservative allies, Maximilian retained several of Juarez’s liberal policies, including freedom of religion, voting rights, and land reforms. The Emperor even offered Juarez amnesty should he swear allegiance to the new government, but after the latter’s refusal Maximilian ordered the execution of the President’s followers. Following the American Civil War, the U.S. began supplying Juarez with arms at the Mexican border, while Maximilian tried to win back support by allowing ex-Confederates to settle in the country. Despite the Emperor’s efforts, however, by 1866 Napoleon III had withdrawn his troops from Mexico and urged the king to depart as well. Maximilian refused. He later attempted to escape but was betrayed and captured. The former Emperor was executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867.
Key events during the life of Maximilian I of Mexico:
| Born | |
| Became Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian Navy | |
| Appointed viceroy of Lombardy-Venetia | |
| Dismissed from viceroy position and moved to Italy | |
| French intervention in Mexico | |
| Proclaimed Emperor of Mexico | |
| Confederates began supplying Juarez with weapons | |
| Napoleon III withdrew French troops from Mexico | |
| Captured by Liberals and executed by firing squad |
Other Resources
| French Invasion and Maximillian in | The Story of Mexico by Charles Morris |
| Maximilian of Austria and his Empire in Mexico in | Historical Tales: Spanish American by Charles Morris |
| The French Invasion in | A Short History of Mexico by Arthur Howard Noll |
| Mexican Revolution in | Growth of the British Empire by M. B. Synge |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 Death of the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico in The Story of Mexico |
 Portrait of Maximilian in Young Folks' History of Mexico |
 Portrait of Carlotta in Young Folks' History of Mexico |
 Execution of Maximilian in Young Folks' History of Mexico |
Emperor Maximilian. in Table of Contents |
 Empress Carlotta in Table of Contents |
 Last moments of Emperor Maximilian in Table of Contents |
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| Benito Juarez | Leader of Mexico during the War of Reform. Passed, enforced anti-clerical laws. Supported informally by United States. |
| Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. | |
| Wife of Napoleon III and Empress of France. Influential figure in society and fashion as well as politics. | |
| Emperor of Austria during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. | |
| First Kaiser of a United German Empire. With Bismarck as Chancellor, defeated Austria and France. |