June 19: Today is anniversary of the execution of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico.

Portrait as Emperor of Mexico, Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1864

Napoleon III was the second emperor of France (1852-1863) and very interested in colonialism. Mexico was in debt with Spain, Britain and France. Napoleon III took the Civil War in the United States to intervene customs of Mexico.

Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico

Influenced by his wife the Empress Eugenia de Montijo, Napoleon III offered the throne of Mexico to Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who took it happily and blissfully supported by landowners and the Mexican oligarchy.

The Execution of Emperor Maximilian (1868-69), oil on canvas, 252 x 305 cm. Kunsthalle Mannheim

Once crowned emperor, Maximilian had to face discord among the conservatives who supported and opposed liberals and led by Benito Juarez.

The Execution of Emperor Maximilian (1867), oil on canvas, 195.9 x 259.7 cm. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

When the American Civil War ended, President Andrew Johnson threatened to impose the Monroe Doctrine (America for the Americans) and supported Benito Juarez.

Edouard Manet - Execution of emperor Maximilian (second version, London)

A Maximiliano asked him to abdicate and return to Austria, but the gullible character supposedly decided to stay because there were many people who wanted in Mexico. Sure, they wanted him dead and was thus captured by Benito Juarez and had him shot in the “Cerro de las Campanas” in Queretaro.

Maximilian I shooting

Impressionist painter Edouard Manet sympathetic to Republican ideas reveled painting a series of five paintings on the implementation of reckless Maximilian.

Photograph of the execution of Maximilian (right in photograph) Miramón (center) and Mejía (left), 19 June 1867

Empress Carlota went to the Empire of Austria to seek revenge against Mexico and passed the rest of his miserable life from one kingdom to another looking to avenge her husband and fighting against Mexico and the United States!