Ferdinand Joseph Maximillian biography

Dromo's Den

Ferdinand Joseph Maximillian Biography

MAXIMILIAN, Ferdinand Joseph (1832–67). Archduke of Austria and Emperor of Mexico, born at Schönbrunn. He was the second son of the Austrian Archduke Francis Charles and a brother to the Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria. He was liberally educated, became commander of the Austrian navy in 1854, was mainly instrumental in creating the naval port of Trieste, and later served with success as Governor of Lombardy and Venetia. He traveled extensively in Europe and made a voyage to the countries of South America. In 1862–63 the French troops of Napoleon III intervened in the internal affairs of Mexico and on June 11, 1863, occupied the city of Mexico. (See Mexico, History; Juárez.) On July 19 the French commander convened an Assembly of Notables, which proclaimed an empire and offered the crown to Maximilian. He announced that he would accept the throne upon the condition that his choice should be ratified by "a vote of the entire country" and that guarantees for the protection of the Empire from the dangers which threaten its integrity and independence should be given. Marshal Bazaine secured the popular vote in the territory held by the French troops, and Napoleon signed the Treaty of Miramar, by which he bound himself to maintain the French army in Mexico until the army of the Empire should be thoroughly organized. Thereupon Maximilian renounced his rights to the Austrian throne and, contrary to the advice of the Emperor Francis Joseph, accepted the Mexican crown. On May 29, 1864, Maximilian, with the Empress Carlotta, daughter of King Leopold of Belgium, landed at Vera Cruz. The new ruler announced that his mission was "the regeneration of Mexico." Ignorant of the characteristics of the country and its people, he endeavored to conciliate all parties, but soon found himself without the cordial support of any. He alienated the clerical party by failing to repeal the reform laws. Desiring to rule without the French, he neglected their representatives, until he suddenly realized that the foreign army, hated equally by all divisions of his subjects, was the only power really behind his throne. Influenced by unwise councils, the Emperor issued the Decree of Oct. 3, 1865, declaring that all persons bearing arms against his Empire were bandits, and if caught would be tried by court-martial and shot. Before the end of the month four highly esteemed Republican officers had been executed in accordance with this decree, and the last hope of popular support for Maximilian's rule had been destroyed. Meantime the United States government, relieved of its embarrassments by the fall of the Confederacy, succeeded in convincing the French Emperor that his intervention in Mexico would not be tolerated. In consequence on May 31, 1866, Maximilian received dispatches announcing that all French troops would be withdrawn from Mexico. Maximilian would probably have resigned at once had not the Empress Carlotta dissuaded him, undertaking to go to Europe and use her influence with Napoleon III. She proceeded to Paris, where the Emperor at first refused to see her and finally brutally asked her to leave France. The Pope gave her little better consolation, and she became hopelessly insane. (See Carlotta.) Maximilian again considered abdication, but referred the decision to his Council, which voted against it. The Church party, also, came forward with an offer to support the Emperor, and he decided to make another effort to regenerate the country. Generals Miramón, Marquez, and Mejía were placed in charge of the Imperial forces, and Maximilian moved his seat of government to Querétaro. There he was surrounded by the Republican army in the early part of March, 1867. On May 14, plans were made for a sortie by which the Emperor might escape to Mexico City or to the coast. Before such plans could be carried out, Col. Miguel López, a constant favorite of the Emperor and Empress and one who had received many proofs of their generosity, informed the enemy of the plan and arranged to admit them into the Imperial camp. Maximilian and his generals were forced to surrender, and after a short confinement were tried by a military court. The Emperor was accused of treason, usurpation of public power, filibustering, trying to prolong the civil war, and of signing the Decree of Oct. 3, 1865. He was declared guilty and condemned to be shot, together with Generals Miramón and Mejía. The execution took place on the morning of June 19, 1867. The Emperor's body was eventually surrendered to the Austrian government and now rests in the Imperial vault in Vienna. On account of the execution the relations of Austria and Mexico were broken and have been resumed only within recent years. Maximilian was a prolific writer; his writings were published in 1867, just after his death, at Leipzig in seven volumes, under the title Aus meinen Leben, Reiseskizzen, Aphorismen, Gedichte. Of this work an indifferent English translation was made the following year, entitled Recollections of my Life.

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XV (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 272-273.