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T
urmoil and war wracked Mexico as the people rose up to overthrow the French occupation
of the country. Subject to the bad recommendations of his Mexican advisors and
without any local political experience Maximilian made many mistakes which further
alienated him from public opinion and gave fodder to his detractors. One of his
major errors was to sign an edict authorizing the execution of Juárez' soldiers
when they were captured. This act sealed Maximilian's own fate later.
The worst blow to Maximilian came from his chief supporter. Without warning or
consultation, in 1865 Napoleon III began to remove his troops from Mexico. One
of the French generals believed it was his duty to inform Maximilian they were
leaving and this led Maximilian to immediately offer to abdicate and return to
Europe. Carlota convinced her husband that this step was dishonorable and that
the Mexican people supported them. Leaving him in Mexico, she immediately departed
for France and her horrifying interview with Napoleon and Eugenie. Next Carlota
went to Rome to appeal to the Pope. Her mental condition continued to decline;
she thought French agents were in pursuit, bent on poisoning her. The sad Empress
was declared insane and never left Europe. Maximilian was abandoned by all in
Mexico. The last soldiers of the French army departed Mexico. Maximilian bravely
went to Queretaro to meet Juárez' army, where he was captured. Juárez
put him on trial, with the outcome already decided. Appeals to Juárez for
clemency for the Hapsburg Archduke fell on deaf ears. He was determined to make
an example of Maximilian to other European powers who might consider intervening
in Mexican affairs. Thus the Emperor of Mexico entered the tragic pages of history.
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French defeat at the battle of Puebla

Execution of Maximilian by Manet

6O years after the execution, Carlota dies in 1927
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