Why did Mexico choose an Austrian to be its Emperor (Short Animated Documentary)
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Date: 2025-03-30
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Comments and reviews: 20
Zeruel3
On account of the rigged referendum Maximilian wouldn't leave because he thought the people still supported him. He did pretty much everything he could have done, recruited ex-confederate soldiers to boost his army, reached accords with the natives to get their support, tried to improve conditions for the poor, adopted the last emperors grandson as his heir and it all came to nothing. He even offered to make Juarez prime minister and to work with him, Juarez turned him down. Quite a few prominent leaders, including Guiseppe Garibaldi tried to get his life spared but Juarez still had him executed to send a message about not interfering in Mexico. He was offered a chance to escape but refused to take it unless his generals could escape with him, unwilling to leave them to die
He meant well, but he really, really shouldn't have gone to Mexico
His wife tried to go to Europe to drum up more support, failed (she realized they'd been essentially abandoned) and went mad, never seeing him again
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On account of the rigged referendum Maximilian wouldn't leave because he thought the people still supported him. He did pretty much everything he could have done, recruited ex-confederate soldiers to boost his army, reached accords with the natives to get their support, tried to improve conditions for the poor, adopted the last emperors grandson as his heir and it all came to nothing. He even offered to make Juarez prime minister and to work with him, Juarez turned him down. Quite a few prominent leaders, including Guiseppe Garibaldi tried to get his life spared but Juarez still had him executed to send a message about not interfering in Mexico. He was offered a chance to escape but refused to take it unless his generals could escape with him, unwilling to leave them to die
He meant well, but he really, really shouldn't have gone to Mexico
His wife tried to go to Europe to drum up more support, failed (she realized they'd been essentially abandoned) and went mad, never seeing him again
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Swordaxe567
As a Mexican I was saddened when I heard in school that a reformist monarchy wanted to restore a nation in ruins I didn’t believe it was Mexico until much later.
Maximilian was a person with great ambition that many Mexicans see him still as a conqueror and an evil person. The reality of the matter is that the real bad person was Benito Juarez who ordered the execution. It’s said that Maximilian tried to negotiate and talk to Juarez about sharing power and building a constitutional monarchy, revoking his Austrian identity with it and being a fully Mexican government. Juarez would have non of it and eventually executed him in Queretaro at the Forest of the Bells where a memorial is made for the late Emperor.
Hopefully in an alternate timeline Emperor Maximilian had a better fate.
Que viva el Emperador y que VIVA MEXICO!
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As a Mexican I was saddened when I heard in school that a reformist monarchy wanted to restore a nation in ruins I didn’t believe it was Mexico until much later.
Maximilian was a person with great ambition that many Mexicans see him still as a conqueror and an evil person. The reality of the matter is that the real bad person was Benito Juarez who ordered the execution. It’s said that Maximilian tried to negotiate and talk to Juarez about sharing power and building a constitutional monarchy, revoking his Austrian identity with it and being a fully Mexican government. Juarez would have non of it and eventually executed him in Queretaro at the Forest of the Bells where a memorial is made for the late Emperor.
Hopefully in an alternate timeline Emperor Maximilian had a better fate.
Que viva el Emperador y que VIVA MEXICO!
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judgywudgy
0: 12 Referring to the Texas revolution as a U. S. invasion is quite reductionist considering the colonists were invited by Mexico to settle and actively sought to remain part of Mexico until they exhausted their options. After Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican government in a military coup, abolished the constitution and denied the rights guaranteed under that constitution, states all across Mexico declared independence and rebelled. All revolutions were violently and brutally repressed, but the U. S. agreed to aid Texas and thus Texas was the only state to gain independence. Bear in mind, Mexico had only been a nation for 15 years at this point following their own war of independence from Spain, and Texas was an independent nation for 9 years, more than half the time it was part of Mexico.
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0: 12 Referring to the Texas revolution as a U. S. invasion is quite reductionist considering the colonists were invited by Mexico to settle and actively sought to remain part of Mexico until they exhausted their options. After Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican government in a military coup, abolished the constitution and denied the rights guaranteed under that constitution, states all across Mexico declared independence and rebelled. All revolutions were violently and brutally repressed, but the U. S. agreed to aid Texas and thus Texas was the only state to gain independence. Bear in mind, Mexico had only been a nation for 15 years at this point following their own war of independence from Spain, and Texas was an independent nation for 9 years, more than half the time it was part of Mexico.
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kurikuraconkuritas
fun fact: the referendum was fabricated. the conservatives visited maximilian at his home in austria and asked him to be the emperor of Mexico. Maximilian initially refused, but then said that unless the mexican people want him to be their monarch he will accept. so the conservatives made thousands of these official papers and voted YES while still in europe, the conservatives never returned to mexico to made a proper referendum, all the votes were fabricated in europe. The conservatives returned to maximilian with the good news only 1 month later. a time which does not even cover a trip to mexico, let alone a trip back and the time it would take to make the actual referendum.
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fun fact: the referendum was fabricated. the conservatives visited maximilian at his home in austria and asked him to be the emperor of Mexico. Maximilian initially refused, but then said that unless the mexican people want him to be their monarch he will accept. so the conservatives made thousands of these official papers and voted YES while still in europe, the conservatives never returned to mexico to made a proper referendum, all the votes were fabricated in europe. The conservatives returned to maximilian with the good news only 1 month later. a time which does not even cover a trip to mexico, let alone a trip back and the time it would take to make the actual referendum.
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nolongeramused8135
At a few points in history Mexico could have become part of the USA, but the USA still thought of itself as primarily as white and English and didn't want to integrate in non-white Spanish speakers when they could just take their land from them instead. They were too busy running the natives off of the best land, hating on the Acadians, and generally mucking around with Manifest Destiny. While they were doing all that they missed out on a great opportunity to unite the two countries to the benefit of both.
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At a few points in history Mexico could have become part of the USA, but the USA still thought of itself as primarily as white and English and didn't want to integrate in non-white Spanish speakers when they could just take their land from them instead. They were too busy running the natives off of the best land, hating on the Acadians, and generally mucking around with Manifest Destiny. While they were doing all that they missed out on a great opportunity to unite the two countries to the benefit of both.
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ItzJustHistory1916
With all the I kind of feel bad for the guy folks and I think he seemed like he could have been able to change Mexico for the better if he’d been given the chance Mexicans in these comments, I just know there must be a timeline out there where the liberals and conservatives came together to support Maximilian, and he helped reform Mexico and brought about peace and stability, and led them into a future where they were equal to the United States and other nations on the world stage
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With all the I kind of feel bad for the guy folks and I think he seemed like he could have been able to change Mexico for the better if he’d been given the chance Mexicans in these comments, I just know there must be a timeline out there where the liberals and conservatives came together to support Maximilian, and he helped reform Mexico and brought about peace and stability, and led them into a future where they were equal to the United States and other nations on the world stage
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sion8
He wanted what Belgium got a foreign king under an autochthonous Belgian constitutional monarchy. The Second Mexican Empire was supposed to be something like what Belgium became, but obviously not what happened. Could a constitutional monarchy have worked in Mexico Possibly. I mean, Brazil became independent as a monarchy (so did Mexico) and Canada today is a monarchy, so it could have worked. Had circumstances been different Mexico could have been just as successful as Canada as a monarchy.
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He wanted what Belgium got a foreign king under an autochthonous Belgian constitutional monarchy. The Second Mexican Empire was supposed to be something like what Belgium became, but obviously not what happened. Could a constitutional monarchy have worked in Mexico Possibly. I mean, Brazil became independent as a monarchy (so did Mexico) and Canada today is a monarchy, so it could have worked. Had circumstances been different Mexico could have been just as successful as Canada as a monarchy.
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coloneldoggo
Maximilian was a true gem. Offered to rule thinking he'd be accepted, and considered Mexico his now homeland. He did love the Mexican people and nation, and even before he was executed he proclaimed: I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood which is about to be spilled end the bloodshed which has been experienced in my new motherland. Long live Mexico! Long live its independence.
He only spoken in Spanish too. They should've kept him: (
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Maximilian was a true gem. Offered to rule thinking he'd be accepted, and considered Mexico his now homeland. He did love the Mexican people and nation, and even before he was executed he proclaimed: I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood which is about to be spilled end the bloodshed which has been experienced in my new motherland. Long live Mexico! Long live its independence.
He only spoken in Spanish too. They should've kept him: (
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CinemaDemocratica
Daddy
Yes, Pumpkin
Why did Mexico choose an Austrian to be its Emperor
It didn't, sweetie. It was occupied by France at the time, and the French didn't want to install a Frenchman because that would violate the Monroe Doctrine.
Oh.
Is that a good answer
Yes, but.
. But what, sweet-sweet treasure
Well. can you make that into a story that takes four minutes to tell
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Daddy
Yes, Pumpkin
Why did Mexico choose an Austrian to be its Emperor
It didn't, sweetie. It was occupied by France at the time, and the French didn't want to install a Frenchman because that would violate the Monroe Doctrine.
Oh.
Is that a good answer
Yes, but.
. But what, sweet-sweet treasure
Well. can you make that into a story that takes four minutes to tell
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Zircillius
Interesting about the US offering to pay the Mexican government's debt, TIL. I wonder if that was a bluff Cuz surely Lincoln would've realized that Louis would turn the offer down, knowing that the debt thing was just a pretext to invade. That would then put France on the backfoot diplomatically. Sounds like something Seward might cook up, he was pretty wily.
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Interesting about the US offering to pay the Mexican government's debt, TIL. I wonder if that was a bluff Cuz surely Lincoln would've realized that Louis would turn the offer down, knowing that the debt thing was just a pretext to invade. That would then put France on the backfoot diplomatically. Sounds like something Seward might cook up, he was pretty wily.
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TheCSC017
Fun fact: Benito Juarez, the victorious President of Mexico who ordered Maximillian’s execution, deeply respected Maximillian and enjoyed his company despite their political differences. In order to send a message to European powers, however, Juarez was forced to set aside his personal sentiments and authorize the execution in any regard.
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Fun fact: Benito Juarez, the victorious President of Mexico who ordered Maximillian’s execution, deeply respected Maximillian and enjoyed his company despite their political differences. In order to send a message to European powers, however, Juarez was forced to set aside his personal sentiments and authorize the execution in any regard.
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darkfool2000
I think Maximilian is a counterpoint to the idea that the best thing for a country is to be ruled by a good man. An inherent part of running any country is being able to manage disparate political factions and to keep the peace, and that can often require a right bastard who can knock heads together to keep the peace.
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I think Maximilian is a counterpoint to the idea that the best thing for a country is to be ruled by a good man. An inherent part of running any country is being able to manage disparate political factions and to keep the peace, and that can often require a right bastard who can knock heads together to keep the peace.
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jacob4920
Mexico seems to oddly have the same sort of problem that France has maintaining its' Democracy:
Every time something goes even slightly wrong, they're all rioting and shooting at each other! You'd think after the first four or five times this didn't work, they'd both try something different. but fun fact: No.
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Mexico seems to oddly have the same sort of problem that France has maintaining its' Democracy:
Every time something goes even slightly wrong, they're all rioting and shooting at each other! You'd think after the first four or five times this didn't work, they'd both try something different. but fun fact: No.
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Senteri
When you get the chance, definately visit MiraMare Castle, near Trieste. It's a 19th century castle built for Maximillian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium. It's very beautiful and all the rooms still feature the original furnishings, ornaments, furniture and objects dating back to the middle of the 19th century.
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When you get the chance, definately visit MiraMare Castle, near Trieste. It's a 19th century castle built for Maximillian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium. It's very beautiful and all the rooms still feature the original furnishings, ornaments, furniture and objects dating back to the middle of the 19th century.
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stefanj1610
Thinking about it, even a country as frequently fed over by the Powers that Are as Mexico can't hold a candle to, say, Haiti in that department.
About Max, if he had outlived his older brother, and Franz-Joseph had croaked earlier but after 1889, and/or Max had had sons of his own, who knows.
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Thinking about it, even a country as frequently fed over by the Powers that Are as Mexico can't hold a candle to, say, Haiti in that department.
About Max, if he had outlived his older brother, and Franz-Joseph had croaked earlier but after 1889, and/or Max had had sons of his own, who knows.
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aaronmarks9366
There's a really good series called The Empress (Die Kaiserin) on Netflix that focuses on the early years of Empress Elisabeth and Kaiser Franz Josef of Austria. Maximilian is a prominent and very memorable character in the series, and Season 3 may indeed cover his rule in Mexico.
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There's a really good series called The Empress (Die Kaiserin) on Netflix that focuses on the early years of Empress Elisabeth and Kaiser Franz Josef of Austria. Maximilian is a prominent and very memorable character in the series, and Season 3 may indeed cover his rule in Mexico.
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UnPuntoyComa
Maximilian was so liberal that in the midst of the bloody civil war between liberals and conservatives, he invited the leader of the liberals, president Benito Juarez, to form a unity government and offered him basically to be his Prime Minister. Juarez told him to go kick rocks.
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Maximilian was so liberal that in the midst of the bloody civil war between liberals and conservatives, he invited the leader of the liberals, president Benito Juarez, to form a unity government and offered him basically to be his Prime Minister. Juarez told him to go kick rocks.
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stevegutrot2476
Reportedly, the final words of Maximillian: 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! An honorable man that was placed in unfortunate circumstances.
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Reportedly, the final words of Maximillian: 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! An honorable man that was placed in unfortunate circumstances.
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history_matters
France: wanna rule a nation that we are fighting
Max: Only if _they_ want me to.
France: they love you, asked for you by name in fact.
Max: sure! I’ll pack my stuff.
Arrives in Mexico
Mexico: Tu mueres, monstruo!
Max: wha-
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France: wanna rule a nation that we are fighting
Max: Only if _they_ want me to.
France: they love you, asked for you by name in fact.
Max: sure! I’ll pack my stuff.
Arrives in Mexico
Mexico: Tu mueres, monstruo!
Max: wha-
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YorikIknewhim
In my mind Maximilian is a rather Don Quixote like figure as I imagine him in hopeless romantic fashion proclaiming Mexica I have heard your cries from across the ocean and have come to lead you, please pay no attention to the French bayonets.
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In my mind Maximilian is a rather Don Quixote like figure as I imagine him in hopeless romantic fashion proclaiming Mexica I have heard your cries from across the ocean and have come to lead you, please pay no attention to the French bayonets.
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