Maximilian I: The Austrian Dictator of Mexico

[@Biographics]

Thank you, Audible for making this one possible! Start listening with Audible today at audible.com/biographics

[@steveshoemaker6347]

4 fingers and guess what is up...Well well well l will let you guy's guess that...Thanks very much...From across the dame big Pond...!

[@spacealienrissley]

The year Wisconsin became a state is a bad year in Europe lmao

[@MaxiTB]

That's a lotta Austrians lately, no complains. Happy New Year ! So now I have to watch the best part: Pronouncations :-)

[@johnnyfives5416]

Can you do the Shah, the last monarch of iran

[@raikokolarov1231]

Hello there! I really like your videos. I am a fan of history!!! I look forward to the next video and i want to make a suggestion if i may. Would it be possible for you to cover some Bulgarian medieval bulgarian ruler. I am quite fond of bulgarian history. If it is not doable i would like to know if you share interest in the history of Bulgaria as well. Best wishes, bye!

[@Zeruel3]

Actually Maximilian refused to abdicate and leave because he refused to abandon the soldiers who'd sworn to fight for him, if nothing else he meant well and tried to do well, wanting to help the poorest people of his new country, banning child labour and freed peasants from debts of over 10 pesos. The sad thing is that if he'd acted more like his brother Franz Joseph he might have lasted longer

[@gumunduringigumundsson9344]

@ isn't that just as stupid as saying history is written by the victors.

[@gumunduringigumundsson9344]

@ They sound just as silly to me though. Have a nice day.

[@gumunduringigumundsson9344]

@ Yes, when dictators are victorious they can suppress the truth a while but sooner or later it comes to light. It might also seem that road is paved with good intentions but on closer look it is often mental disorder and ignorance rather than good intentions that.. yea. These often ring true and they often seem true but most often are not.

[@gumunduringigumundsson9344]

@ Aren't all isms made in good intention?

@@gumunduringigumundsson9344 An example of good intentions is Chamberlains appeasement of Hitler. No one in there right mind would say Nazism had good intentions.

[@jcorbo7518]

Maximillian I of Mexico is one of my favorite "what-if"'s in history. He was both liberal but somehow balanced out by his Catholic and Imperialistic side. He could've been a great leader because of his ability to adapt,respond, and apply himself.

But he wasnt

[@alo5301]

No, he couldn't his supporter were French army and the upper 1% who owned 80% of wealth.

[@dsc4178]

He never understood the importance of law and order. Without them, freedom is a sham.

[@pyromania1018]

@@dsc4178 The problem is that people who preach "law and order" are, usually, really just pompous aristocrats who want total power over commoners.

[@martinezazteca8236]

Benito Juarez said he is my bitch

[@Ivanmaradonaaa]

When people ask why I'm a 193cm tall, white and red haired Mexican I always tell them is because of the Austrians, my ancestor was a Austrian-Hungary soldier under Maximilian

[@czthjvv]

The best kind of Mexican 👌

[@Levitiy]

@@czthjvv No mames. 😂

[@richardsanchez9190]

195.5 cm Although My hairs brown and so is my skin. I just tell people I'm part German.

[@Levitiy]

@@richardsanchez9190 Dutch are taller.

[@richardsanchez9190]

@@Levitiy well I dont split hairs. I used to get asked a lot when I was younger so I just said screw it I'll say I'm german that'll get em off my back. And it did.

[@seananthonycamas1785]

Maximilian is without a doubt one of the most underrated historical figures in the history of North America

[@Nimue333]

Maybe in your country, because in México we know about him since childhood 💁🏻‍♀️

[@carlosalfaro001]

@@Nimue333 no precisamente, si bien nos enseñaron que fue el emperador y las batallas con Juárez, poco se sabe de la gestión del gobierno, o de las leyes promulgadas en el segundo imperio

[@stacyjavier9074]

@@Nimue333 stop reading SEP books. Schools in Mexico never going to tell the real history because is not good for the nation

[@canadiankewldude]

@@stacyjavier9074 He conveniently forgot to mention that *_Maximilian Pardoned almost all of them,_* very few ever faced a firing squad. Maximilian made reforms to help the poor, these and much more good is why the elite marginalize him.

[@canadiankewldude]

By the way, it was *_Maximilian who had doubts_* about the votes. I doubt there exists any real evidence supporting this, beyond useful propaganda.

[@TheWazzoGames]

His poor wife suffered a mental breakdown after her husband's death and lived the rest of her life in seclusion. So sad.

[@alo5301]

He had a lover in Mexico. The daughter of the gardener of their palace.

[@Brams2777]

She never actually learned about Max's death. Leopold II locked her up before that

[@LathropLdST]

Poor wife... Oh my, have you read about Carlota? She was the equivalent of Alix of Hesse... Aka Tsarina Alexandra.

[@LathropLdST]

@Heraldo Medrano Ahahahahahaha chairo spotted!!!

[@gabrielalbertocastillomarq6120]

@Heraldo Medrano And the hero of 5 de Mayo is Profirio Díaz jajaj

[@karni13]

fun fact: He is burried in Vienna alongside his family and to this day people from mexico pay their resepcts at his sarcophagus with postcards, flowers and other trinkets.

[@julianv1828]

If I ever go to Vienna I'll make sure to do that.

[@dylangarcia3898]

@@julianv1828 I thought people in Mexico hated him considering they worship the ground Benito walked on ,and name everything after him.

[@julianv1828]

@@dylangarcia3898 yeah, kids are taught to hate Maximilian since primary school and worship Juarez (Benito Juarez is in the 20 pesos bill and there are many monuments, streets, buildings, schools, etc, named after him). Good thing that videos like this exist and reveal the other side of the coin. I felt bad and mostly angry after I researched Maximilian's life and realized that he's not the evil traitor that my history teachers taught me. He could have probably saved my country's future and made it a illustrious country early on. Sadly only a small percentage of Mexicans know about him and most importantly what he actually strived for. I wish more people knew about him and just like me, get inspired and feel a sense of hope and patriotic nostalgia.

[@luiscera9690]

He was the liberal puppet of the conservatives. Today it is exactly the same with the conservative right in Mexico that idolizes Joe Biden.

[@canadiankewldude]

@@julianv1828 He conveniently forgot to mention that *_Maximilian Pardoned almost all of them,_* very few ever faced a firing squad. Maximilian made reforms to help the poor, these and much more good is why the elite marginalize him.

[@TheOmegaCloud]

I mean... yeah you could call him a "Dictator" but even on Mexican text books he's called "Emperor" since that's his historic title.

[@miguelmontenegro3520]

Biographics doesnt like monarchies that much.

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

Miguel Montenegro They don’t like anything more conservative then Justin Trudeau that much

[@theshocker4626]

Maximillian is what it would be like having a Libtard Berniebro suddenly given unfettered power.

[@AftermathRV]

how do mexicans actually think about maximilian Like actually actually? Or are they absolutely indifferent?

[@TheOmegaCloud]

@@AftermathRV Most of us? Indifferent, the guy lived and died more than a century ago, we're more interested in what our actual president do or says. Personally? I think his story is a tragedy, the guy tried to do good but obviously it didn't work.

[@Sakraida82]

The more I learn about Maximillian the more tragic a historical figure he becomes. He honestly sounds like he wanted Mexico to prosper and had sympathetic and liberal ideas. His opponent lets not forget wasn't elected by popular vote either and was a dictator himself. Its a wonder if the Empire of Mexico would have avoided all the civil wars.

[@manny_menin022]

Amen knowing more I'm here wondering what would happen if Juarez joined him. I'll probably be a middle class in an Empire instead a son of an immigrant in America

[@mikeyKnows_]

I wonder if Juárez had good intentions or was he just power hungry.

[@LordDim1]

Mike Rodriguez Power hungry. He repeatedly sold out Mexico to the US in turn for American backing of his regime

[@Sakraida82]

Need to find a good book on this one.

[@kleinegirl87]

@@mikeyKnows_ he was a power hungry man, did nothing to improve the conditions of the indigenous people (not even from the indigenous from Oaxaca). I lived in oaxaca and they don't seem to like him very much.

[@ethanramos4441]

“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, viva la independecia!” Maximilian I of Mexico

[@junesilvermanb2979]

God Save The Emperor!

[@josejonhson674]

Lol ironic, viva la independencia but let impose a monarchy in Mexico. No wanted him in Mexico aside from the white minority/conservatives.

[@tradecraft9026]

@@josejonhson674 not true, many people wanted him, and he did more good in his few years than what his killers would do in the next 100 years, you should read more about him, and if youre mexican......look around, its a disgrace

[@polishherowitoldpilecki5521]

Jose Jonhson Have you ever read up on him. He treated Mexican natives with respect and attempted to connect with the Mexican people, he ended the hacienda system before the Mexican Revolution and other forms of serfdom. Brought engineers to fix the country, which had been destroyed by Santa Anna, civil war and revolution. His biggest supporters were indigenous Mexicans. If he had stayed in power Mexico wouldn’t have had a revolution in 1910s.

[@imperiumgrim4717]

@@polishherowitoldpilecki5521 👏🏾👏🏾😭😭😭😭🤧🤧

[@amb163]

It's unfortunate -- Maximilian seems liked he was a decent guy, and tried to do the best for people under him.

[@Charles-js3ri]

That would mean he still had the right ideas. Unlike rightists.

[@JayJay-ex6yo]

@ those citys are run by capitalists, not leftists, u absolute potato

@@JayJay-ex6yo What a clueless idiot.

[@liquidminds]

@ You mean the cities that the right made promises to, but then dropped them like a hot turd? The cities that have been ruined by the right, so they are now flocking to the left in hopes they don't suck as much? Yeah.. Those cities tell us why the right is never going to work...

[@sketchesofpayne]

@@liquidminds The mayors of Chicago have been democrats since 1931, Baltimore since 1967, and Detroit since 1962.

[@objective7042]

A tragic character, a ruler with good intentions but hated by everyone.

[@ElfenThorne]

To be honest he became rather beloved among the lower class in Mexico and thanks to his liberal policies most of the people fighting against him joined his government when he was winning because they shared the same views.

[@spikespiegel6977]

Danny a puppet installed by Mexican oligarchs and the French crown

[@elreydelbrocoli]

I dunno,a lot of Mexicans still name their kids after him.

[@Brams2777]

@@spikespiegel6977 Oligarchs whom he gave no favours to. And he constantly stood up to Napoleon III whenever he thought the rights of his nation were being infringed upon.

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

GG Allin “The sins of the father are not the sins of the son” He could not control which family he was apart of just as you cannot. Do not blame others for what is beyond their control

[@daviddh803]

Wow a tragic story. In my elementary school days, Maximilian was just depicted as an outsider, backed by the french and aristocrats who wanted to install a monarchy in Mexico. We were never told about his beliefs or his reformist ideas. I loved this video :D

[@canadiankewldude]

By the way, it was *_Maximilian who had doubts_* about the votes. I doubt there exists any real evidence supporting this, beyond useful propaganda. Juarez was resupplied by the American Congress after the civil war with uniforms, guns, ammunition, cannons.(riffled) *_Maximilian_* could have left with the French fleet, he had ample opportunity to leave but he was devoted to his men and country. He did not protect the wealth of the Mexican aristocrats, he started taxing them, those same aristocrats turned to both Juarez and America. *_Maximilian_* refused orders from France, basically they wanted a cash cow but the *_Emperor_* never allowed it. So much more to this history.

[@thanhhoangnguyen4754]

@@canadiankewldude Wonder what would happen should Bismarck give Napoleon III to Franz Joseph. How would the Austria-Hungry Emperor react to the Man who trick and abandoned his brother to death.

[@AL-kb3cb]

@@thanhhoangnguyen4754 Open a book, France didn't abandon him, They conqueered Mexico, and because Napoleon III was a friend of Maximilien I he decided to put him on the throne of Mexico (Maximilien refused at first because he had nothing to do with that and it was a very odd proposal, but he had no choice) and later they decided to leave, Maximilien I was supposed to leave with them of course, but stayed.

[@AL-kb3cb]

"and aristocrats" ? xD wtf

[@dontsearchdocumentingreali9621]

Americans wrote your books, unfortunately.

[@georgeaguirre9426]

Lol "with enough eye-rolling to generate its own electricity". I love that! You are a true wordsmith.

[@Neko0Hyuga]

This reminds me of the time my teacher told us that Maximilian had made hundreds of portraits to be sent to Mexican families so they could be "part of the families". That's both incredibly endearing and delusional.

[@MrJMB122]

That had a to be European monarchy thing.

[@castillo8290]

Juarez: who are you Maximilian: I am you but a Hapsburg

[@josepabloceniceros3483]

juarez was a bit more ruthless tho

[@cesarjeanlouischarlesgomzd28]

How tf you compare the Yankee Lover Slave Juarez to Maximilian.

[@alessandroderossi.]

@@cesarjeanlouischarlesgomzd28 exacto

[@dr.tacophd1239]

@@cesarjeanlouischarlesgomzd28 Their beliefs were pretty similar is just that Juarez was much more ruthless.

[@rocco210285]

Hey!! A Querétaro native here!! Maximilian was not shot in a "dusty courtyard". He was taken to a hillside, west of the city called "Cerro de las Campanas" wich translates to Hill of the Bells. In 1901, a small chappel was built in the site of Max's death, with blueprints and money sent from Austria....and terracota rooftiles from Belgium. Today, that section of the hill is a public park, although the chappel is usually closed.

[@seasn5553]

let’s go burn it

[@simulacrumpilot2777]

​@@seasn5553 Are you a 13 year old edgelord?

[@gildardorivasvalles6368]

Carlota died almost 60 (sixty) years after her husband, not fifty (at least that's how what you said sounded like, Simon.) She never recovered her sanity, and died an old, crazy lady, completely oblivious to anything around her. All of this story is tragic for everyone involved. And kudos on pretty much nailing every bit of the history around these events -- you and your team certainly did your homework. Well, except no one in Mexico refers to him as dictator, but rather as Emperor Maximilian -- regardless of whether one approves of him or not. But overall, fantastic video, thank you. Oh, and as for Maximilian's historical importance, for good or bad, he certainly had an impact at least to us Mexicans, whether you love him or hate him, or simply understand him as a man caught in the turmoil of his times.

[@jesusaguilar5573]

This story always makes me really sad. He was a genuine great person that cared for Mexico and was willing to make it work along Juarez and also understood both parties main points. A bit sad we stuck with the 4’6 guy that ended up more thirsty of power than anyone could imagine. Sorry for everything Maximilian I. Now we know that you cared.

[@canadiankewldude]

He conveniently forgot to mention that *_Maximilian Pardoned almost all of them,_* very few ever faced a firing squad. Maximilian made reforms to help the poor, these and much more good is why the elite marginalize him.

[@mauandainuralarconm.9121]

Mexico for Mexicans.

[@mauandainuralarconm.9121]

Juarez came from nothing, he didnt even have parenta, he was fair as a lawyer, and was not a foreigner. Jesus Christ, your comment on his height is cringe . May the ancestors of the Mexican people visit you this day of the day and share their opinions with you in your dreams for generations to come

[@bernardodominguez6621]

​@@mauandainuralarconm.9121And look how Mexico turned out under Benito, even poorer than before he rebelled and with dictators for years nice

[@the1flym459]

Idk about being a good Emperor but he has a damn good beard

[@geoffreymoseley7167]

...not to mention Simon's.

[@micfatton9005]

What’s crazy is Benito Juarez is seen as one of the greatest liberal leaders of Mexico but when it came down to leave the presidency he refused to step down. Hypocrite! He’s actions led to Mexico’s longest lasting dictatorship and that in turn created the longest instability in Mexico’s history. 👏👏 thanks Juarez

[@patavinity1262]

It's completely inaccurate to describe him as a dictator. He was a monarch. It's not the same thing.

[@patavinity1262]

@Alberto Fuijimori First of all, that's not even correct. The majority of reigning monarchs today do not have absolute power, nor direct rule. Secondly, you may be interested to learn that the precise definition of the terms 'monarch' and 'dictator' are *actually not that simple* - who would have guessed? The information is freely available online if you wish to learn.

[@patavinity1262]

@Alberto Fuijimori Constitutional monarchies *are* regular monarchies. At the current time, they are in fact the most regular form of monarchy. The fact that you wrongly do not consider these as monarchies is neither here nor there. Furthermore, the feudal system of governance which was dominant in medieval Europe was in fact very different to that of a dictatorial (in the modern sense) system of governance, so you are simply showing your own ignorance again by bringing it up. I also don't see why consistently demonstrating that you're wrong is something I need to "backpedal out of". I'm very content to continue doing so.

[@patavinity1262]

@Alberto Fuijimori As I said before, all this information is very easily found online. Are you capable of taking the initiative like a grown-up, or do you really need me to teach you, like a child?

[@patavinity1262]

​@Alberto Fuijimori I guess you prefer to be treated like a child then. Monarchy is essentially the oldest system of government. In political theory, the essential characteristics of monarchy are as follows: A monarch is a chosen leader among the *nobility* - a ruling hereditary class, who offer a supply of military force and internal governance in exchange for land, money and privileges. Monarchy is typically also a religious function - a monarch wields power as an extension of divine power. Monarchy is also, almost always, a position which exists *independently* of its holder. It is a continuous institution which an individual merely embodies in the course of a lifetime, after which another monarch replaces them. Since the Enlightenment, monarchy has come increasingly to be considered as a social contract - a monarch takes spiritual or symbolic power given to them by consent of their people, offering stability in return. 'Dictator' was originally an office of government in the Roman Republic. In the twentieth century, it grew into a radically different concept. *By contrast* with monarchy, a dictatorship has the following characteristics: Dictatorship is essentially an extension of republicanism as a political theory. Dictators tend to gain power either by constitutional means (e.g. Hitler) or by military force (e.g. Pinochet), thereby imposing a new constitution. In this sense, dictatorship is legalist in its justification for assuming power. Instead of representing a noble ruling class holding power over commoners, dictators are populists and represent a political faction, and their leadership status is defined in opposition to an opposing political faction, which they are determined to prevent from holding power. Monarchs, by contrast, are not necessarily beholden to any political group. Dictators rule *as individuals* and generally create complex personality cults around themselves in order to maintain their status. A dictator always wields absolute power, while monarchies exist in a far greater variety of forms. A dictator's office is an extension *of their person* and a successor must assert power in their own right - they do not have a place within a lineage.

[@patavinity1262]

@Alberto Fuijimori You could have just admitted you're wrong and salvaged a litte dignity, but of course you decided to come back with the cringiest, textbook adolescent response. Please stop embarrassing yourself, it's uncomfortable to watch.

[@rogeliovaldez9689]

he was the emperor Mexico needed but not the one it deserved.

[@CB-nr5uv]

rogelio valdez Vete alv

[@albertoalejandrelara515]

Muy cierto, Rogelio Valdez. Tragico. Mira como estamos a casi 2 siglos de vida independiente. Con Maximiliano murio nuestra ultima oportunidad de ser un estado de derecho y un estado justo y prospero para todos.

[@yeshuamartinez547]

You people are such a joke with your inferiority mindset.

[@rogeliovaldez9689]

@@yeshuamartinez547 u are taking thing a little too seriously with your limited self-righteous mindset

[@eduardocruz9419]

Usted es un traidor a la patria y todos los estan de acuerdo contigo. Maximiliano era un titere manejado por. Francia. Si su dictadura hubira triunfado estariamos peor aun

[@profharveyherrera]

Ironically, an imposed foreign emperor turned out to be one of Mexico's best ruler. One of the biggest "what ifs" in Mexico's story.

[@bajaboy27]

Right? He would've done well, he wanted all children to attend school, and he had some rather good ideas. It's sad the French were looking at it as a post for their empire.

[@mr.anderson2241]

Rigo Rangel it’s not very sad if you look into it, at the time Napoleon III was seen as somewhat of a modernizer, and helped France modernize significantly, had Maximilian stayed in power we might’ve seen significant French investment helping Mexico modernize far quicker

[@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw]

I could say it still has somewhat a negative impact today

[@dang2320]

@@mr.anderson2241 Wouldn't have lasted. The US backed Benito Juarez and would have gone to war.

[@eltoro16ify]

The guy actually wanted to be a king, Mexico its kingdom. Cared for the people and natives while france just wanted to exploit Mexico.

[@cleversonalex7723]

Since you are covering american monarchs, i recommend Pedro II of Brazil. He was such an interesting character, who ruled for almost 50 years after ascending to the throne as a boy, helping to keep the country united as one nation. He was also an intelectual, who would become friends with people like Graham Bell and Nietzsche.

[@boris978]

He was a grand Emperor and a half Habsburg too.

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

Since you're on an Austrian kick, I would like to see a biographic on me, Franz II/I, final Holy Roman Emperor and first Austrian Emperor.

[@kristoferalexander7559]

I second this!

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

@@kristoferalexander7559 Thank you, my dear subject. The Austrian Empire shall live on! Gott erhalte Österreich!

[@GeldtheGelded]

@@peculiarpangolin4638 Seine Majestät, Römischer Kaiser Franz.II von Habsburg!

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

@@GeldtheGelded Danke, mein Freund, aber mein neues Reich, das Kaiserthum Östereich will größer sein.

[@optimvsprinceps1845]

UNSERN GUTEN KAISER FRANZ!

[@pearlglass]

First of all mah'dudes he wasn't a dictator! watch your words. Second he did so much for Mexico but sadly was killed before many of his ideas were actually happening. He is remembered as the person who came from the aristocracy who first cared for the indigenous people. Your video needs more important information bruh. ❤️Te queremos Maximiliano ❤️ Viva México 🇲🇽

[@MAP2023]

Maximilian was an Emperor. The Anglo called him "Dictator" is hilarious!

[@yerahistoriadora]

He call him dicatator, because Maximilian was impossed, the majority of the Mexican didin't want him

[@exhaustedcoffee2603]

Anglo? What is this Anglo?

[@MIKE2111ful]

​@@exhaustedcoffee2603 white Americans

[@marcosg6857]

Maximiliano was a monarch, just like the ones you have back in England. If he's considered to be a dictator, then so is your beloved royalty.

[@Eazy-ERyder]

Poor guy. The way it sounds, He started off Well-intended enough but then did a complete 180 with that tragically RIDICULOUS Decree. When you try and please EVERYONE, you end up pleasing a firing squad

[@drevenypribor6144]

The title and thumbnail are both wrong lol He was not a dictator and the one on thumbnail is his distant ancestor who was also named Maxmilian

[@mr.iforgot3062]

How did you get on the internet if your from N. Korea?

[@gussetma1945]

You beat me to the punch. Bravo!

[@Noone-jn3jp]

Dana Kelley *you’re Had to do it. 🤪

[@bamcr1218]

Yes...I too would like to know how you have access to the World Wide Web buddy. Please enlighten us🤠

[@NajwaLaylah]

@@mr.iforgot3062 Stop snitching.

[@TheHollowBodiesBand]

Maximillian promoted alphabetisation of the indigenous people, whereas Juárez denigrated them, even when he was an indigene.

[@yeshuamartinez547]

Yeah that was the catholic church, that was in charge of hospitals schools and almost every part of society.

[@LathropLdST]

@FromHeadtoHeart Juarez was like Obama, he mixed with the white and educated and neglected the indigenous people he came from. Oh, what have I done, the wittle liberal snowflake will call me a supremacist, oooh nooo... Ever lived in México? Ever studied Mexican history? And assuming you did... Which history did you learn?

[@gabrielalbertocastillomarq6120]

Juarez didn´t hate the indegenois people. He didn´t understand them. He was the exception of the rule and didn´t understand why the indegenous people didn´t wanted the same as him (study, has aspitations) and that was because he didn´t grow like them. So he support laws thas afected their way of live disrupting comunal propierty and advocating for made all propierty private.

[@cosmicdude8282]

​@@gabrielalbertocastillomarq6120in other words, he was an idiot

[@samanthaw.6929]

Fun fact! this guy commissioned some extremely fancy gilt mirrors while he was emperor of Mexico. After he left, those same mirrors found their way to the Excelsior Hotel in Jefferson, Texas, where they are reported to be haunted. I know this because I've seen them in person.

[@franciscobuenrostro3891]

I’m a Mexican and while the Mexican education system paints Maximilian as an evil dictator and Benito Juárez as a hero, however, in my opinion Maximilian should have stayed in power and he is a great what if? While Juarez was a ruthless dictator

[@dang2320]

Most of us don't learn the truth about Benito Juarez unless we look it up ourselves.

[@maximilienfrancoisderobesp202]

Max I is so cool. Sad he died.

[@jeffreygarcia9130]

Same here. Maximilian should have stayed as an Emperor

[@TheeDrGroyper]

Interestingly enough, Mexico’s huge xenophobic tendencies tend to be crushed and proven illogical from time to time whenever someone like Maximilian I comes to the picture showing Mexicans that there are, indeed, foreigners out there who love Mexico more than the Mexicans themselves.

[@lolz6337]

Juarez was a Freemason and a US puppet.

[@mauandainuralarconm.9121]

"Mexicans themselves " that's harsh and speaking for too many

[@Ahuizotl_Yolotl]

Xenophobic? You're confused mate, we're not the gringos who trowed black people to the back of the buses.

[@xxxkueckxxx]

You mean the Spanish elite of Mexico. Mestizos like me are proud of our indigenous roots, and view Maximillian as the buffoon he was. Cuál de presidentes mexicanos que son puro españoles no ha violado México. Siempre toma un mestizo o indígena líder para alentar nuestro país, como AMLO, Benito Juárez. Y hast que una presidente Judío es mejor para nuestro país, porque nosotros tenemos fe en Claudia Sheinbaum. Viva México, y que mueren los que intentan usurparnos y los élite mexicanos españoles quien siempre tratan de tomar aventaja de los recursos de nuestro país. Creemos en nosotros mismos y ahorita estamos animado por el futuro 💪🏽

[@Roy-em2my]

He sounds like a great person who actually had put everything for what he believed in. Thank you for fascinating video!

[@batmanismexican1873]

He wasn't a great person he was The Invader of Mexico and his people were the oppressors

[@DMS-pq8]

@@batmanismexican1873 He was probably the best leader Mexico has ever had. Too bad Juarez didn't take up his offer to work together

[@radiocalico9124]

@Madalin Grama or he actually cared and was willing to die for his people

[@rubengutierrez19]

@@batmanismexican1873 ah foreig yes , but atleast less traitotours then Juarez

[@Brams2777]

@Madalin Grama A lot of people loved him. Because he cared about them. He had a lot of support especially in the south.

[@the_kingslayer]

I visited Maximilians castle today and it was fascinating to see where he lived. The castle was amazing 😍

[@JohnDoe-gc5lt]

5:38 - "I am really good at drawing people." "I want you to draw me on horseback. Will that be a problem?" "It's no problem. I've seen most of a horse."

[@TheCimbrianBull]

LMFAO! 😂 🤣 😅

[@peterkratoska3681]

One interesting consequence is that Maximilian brought Austrian troops many of whom were Czech and as the army brought many of its own supplies this included Czech brewers who ended up contributing to beer making in Mexico. Also the military brass bands left a musical influence, you can often hear Austrian/Czech in the music. (I had a friend who was from a German speaking part of Switzerland) and while watching a Mexican band play at a music festival she thought it sounded very similar to music from home).

[@AL-kb3cb]

The number of foreign volunteers (which included some Austrian i imagine) was anecdotal.

[@powerdriller4124]

Yes, the Mariachi Music, which is nowdays the Mexican Music more representative of the country. Mariachi tunes and melody comes from those Austrians, Slovenians, and Czech musicians. When Maximilian was executed, his Central-European musicians ran away to the mountains of the State ofJalisco which was not controlled by the Republican troops of Benito Juárez, and so it was for almost 10 years after Maximilian´s fall, so the Musicians had plenty of time to merge into the population and influence the Music played in the region. And the rest is History.

[@TheHollandHS]

"Mei Muata und mei vuata ... "

[@daniel_jackmer70]

He was not a dictator, we the mexicans recognize him as our emperor and he was one of the people who cared most about our country

[@mdc3148]

“Who tried to make Mexico a monarchy”… ummm who’s going to tell this guy that Mexico had been a monarchy for longer than it’s been a republic.

[@castillo8290]

*Fails in Mexico and than looks at Prussia* Napoleon III: I'm going to do what is called a pro gamer move

[@Freedmoon44]

Partisan of the republic in France: "I am 4 parralel universe ahead of you"

[@pedroheberle6665]

Good heavens, don't you ever stop working? S2 A Happy New Year, Simon and crew!

[@Biographics]

Rarely ;)

[@darthjarjar5309]

Pedro Heberle He narrates, doubt he actually does the research, write the script, let alone do the editing.

[@pedroheberle6665]

@@darthjarjar5309 is narrating/presenting not working?

[@georggarantini9255]

@@pedroheberle6665 not as hard and tedious as the research and editing for sure. You serious?

[@pedroheberle6665]

@@georggarantini9255 that wasn't the question, dude

[@manny_menin022]

I find the story of Maximilian and Mexico to be the one in the same. Both wanting to become something great and stand out

[@frankmurillo33st69]

The descendants of the last Aztec Emperor live in Spain I think Mexico would of been better as empire, instead they had the perfect dictatorship for 71 years 1929-2000

[@deltharion]

Montezuma has known descendants in Mexico too

[@LathropLdST]

What, you say you are not under a dictacracy now?

[@Fantom6400]

Iturbide’s descendants also live in Europe and Australia. If Mexico were to re-adopt a monarchy today the closest noble to take that position would be H.I.M. Maximilian von Götzen-Iturbide, son of Baroness Maria Gizela Tunkl von Aschbrunn und Hohenstadt and her 2nd husband Count Gustav von Götzen. He currently resides in Melbourne, Australia.

[@Noah-um2st]

@Treavor Alvardo yeah like Memphis or Detroit right?

[@Noah-um2st]

@Treavor Alvardo what about equality and human rights? There are all rich or just the white guys and only these have the rights?

[@ShinigamiInuyasha777]

Uncle Sam: FRANCE HOW DARE YOU TO BULLY MEXICO. THATS MY JOB?

[@Brams2777]

That's sadly accurate

[@spikespiegel6977]

Sad but true

[@rotemplatino91]

So true it hurts 😂😂😂

[@mr.stepdaddy2259]

America give weapons and supplies to Mexico to win the battle and they did by killing the leader Maximillion and pushing the French army back lol

[@mr.stepdaddy2259]

The French retreated and left because some other country was attacking France lol

[@andreamunoz6088]

Why do people in the comments act as if they’ve never made a mistake in their lives 🙄

[@ohhibob1006]

Why do you do the same thing

[@Biographics]

Because they are all perfect and running their own successful channels where they never make errors. Obviously.

[@cantbeassed5828]

@@Biographics all the flavours and you chose salty

[@johnlaterus5085]

How it feels to be perfect?

[@altareggo]

Because it's FUN to point out other people's errors - MUCH more fun than trying to fix one's own crap :-=}.

[@Aperson-619]

There is actually a theory that Benito Juarez spared Maximilian. Maximilian went to El Salvador and was known as Justo armas

[@miguelhidalgoycostilla4494]

THERE's a wild theory going around about Benito Juarez

[@miguelhidalgoycostilla4494]

is that benito Mussolini is related to benito juarez

[@Aperson-619]

@@miguelhidalgoycostilla4494 hahahahahahahaha 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@miguelhidalgoycostilla4494]

@@Aperson-619 because suppously Benito juarez daughter went to live in Italy and married an Italian men

[@JoseLopez-hs3yw]

As a Mexican, I say: ¡Abajo la República, larga vida al Emperador!

[@Tomas-ym1sq]

Viva El Emperador 🇲🇽

[@themechanic7732]

Todo meko

[@luis_zuniga]

You should do an episode on Charlotte of Mexico, the wife of Maximilian, her life it's also very interesting.

[@saitamad.anarchist9527]

How so?

[@luis_zuniga]

@@saitamad.anarchist9527 she's the one that convinced Maximilian to accept the throne of Mexico; she ruled as Regent in the Emperor's absence; explored the Yucatan peninsula and Mayan ruins. She was the first woman known to sleep at the Vatican. There are books about her life, in Spanish sadly, it was interesting and sad, her ambition was her doom.

[@issacnewton7059]

he ask for "las golondrinas" when he died. and yell viva mexico when got shot. and he was used. he was cool and Mexican in my book and like Chavela Vargas said "mexicans are born where ever they want" meaning any foreign that feels love towards mexico and wants to call himself a mexican, is a mexican, and you know what we cool about it. chavela was puerto rican I think

[@issacnewton7059]

oh yea wrong maximilian,

[@personalnormal5935]

Yes a Mexican is born wherever he facking wants. That's not the case for maximilian, when you have Mexican blood in your hands that don't apply.

[@rotemplatino91]

Chavela was from Costa Rica

[@issacnewton7059]

@@rotemplatino91 my bad young papa

[@LathropLdST]

@@personalnormal5935 Mexican blood? Ahahahahaha -PRI and PAN has FAR more than him... Your people needs the whip and the discipline, the only loved head figures are the white- friendly indigenous (Juarez) and the ignorantes (AMLO) Fittingly, all cities and places with Juarez on its name are now hellholes of narco violence. A deserving heritage for that POC POS...

[@davidhewitt5937]

Did I miss you mentioning his adoption of the Iturbide kids as heirs? He did that to try to get some extra legitimacy as Emperor.

[@Ruby321123]

May we please get a Biographic on the great, extravagant, eloquent, & legendarily well-endowed Lord Byron, the mad, bad, & dangerous to know. Seriously - I love that guy!

[@ferrjuan]

He wasn’t a dictator he was an emperor of Mexico u should change the title Simon! Both the French and Mexican conservatives established a monarchy not a dictatorship!

[@personalnormal5935]

He was an usurper dictador who could not be the emperor of Mexico because Mexico's legitimate government never ceased to exist. If he wanted to be the emperor of anything he first had to defeat his opposition in battle. Both he and the conservatives failed so get over it.

[@ferrjuan]

Personal Normal like I said the French and Mexican conservatives established a monarchy not a dictatorship! Also remember that Mexico is predominantly Catholic and Juarez was pretty much hated by the Catholic Church in Mexico. Most of Emperor Maximilian’s support came from huge catholic population of Mexico. My family fought on both sides of the conflict while my Paternal line fought for Juarez my maternal line which weren’t part of the rich land-owning class fought for the Emperor because they were devout Catholics.

[@personalnormal5935]

@@ferrjuan First thing Mexico is not a Catholic country. They are Guadalupanos there's a big difference and don't forget that. In case you missed it in the Mexican revolution it was made clear Mexicans don't give a rat's ass about the Catholic roman church by all the priest they hanged or kicked out of the country. Up to today they will never again have the abusive unchecked power they so much enjoyed during all Mexicos dictatorships. Secondly. The French had absolutely no right to claim or establish a dictador in Mexico unless by force. Though by force they did try and utterly failed. And last, the minority conservatives have always supported ruthless dictators like Santa Ana bringing him back every time he was exiled over and over to cause war. They want any one who would ignore the common people in favor of the rich. That is why they were morally defeated and considered traitors up to today. Not much has changed even today their descendents conservatives who can't get a vote cry for U.S. intervention. Not realizing that if Mexico ever gets it's act together, they and all their corrupt families will be put in jail to root. I don't care what side you're on. If you support any monarchy on this planet you're not on my side. Atleast that we can make clear.

[@joao.fenix1473]

@@personalnormal5935 Juarez was the dictator. He was a monarch

[@wouterkessel4852]

@@personalnormal5935 You do realize those last three sentences make no sense at all as 1. most modern monarchies are still there because they are a constitutional monarchy that have a 70% or higher positive approval rating among the general population, 2. With the sheer amount of debt they owed the French and refusal to pay it France had every right to do something about it. 3. The whole idea that entire families will be put in jail literally because they are rich and have single members that performed deeds not liked by the government only happens during either wartime or under a dictatorship which would make it that it would only happen when mexico did not get their stuff together but instead got worse than it currently is?

[@JJMHigner]

Maximilian did do a number of reforms in the capital, itself, including the planning for its current main boulevard, and other other improvements. There were good intentions there even if the original motives were cruel and misguided. I think he really wanted to do good. If nothing else, we see the Hapsburgs' huge influence even at that time. Great video, as always!

[@jmchez]

You didn't mention that, as a Hapsburg, Maximilian was related to the Spanish Hapsburgs who first conquered Mexico with Herna Cortez and ruled it while their dynasty lasted for 200 years. That gave him a, somewhat, historical claim to the throne.

[@MiguelAlejandroVF]

A very weak one though as the Austrian Hapsburg split from the Spanish branch 100 years before Mexico got Independence.

[@jaytrace1006]

Charlotte of Belgium was good-looking, man!

[@Brams2777]

Yeah, Mamá Carlota was a cutie

[@Overlord99762]

@@Brams2777 more like Mami Carlota, amirite?

[@michaelparry1701]

😉👌

[@Brams2777]

@@Overlord99762 Eyyyyyyy *finger guns *

[@ferrjuan]

Jay Trace too bad she went insane after the death of her husband

[@Pajahro]

poor Maximilian, to liberal for the conservatives, to conservative for the liberals ... still he truly was his own man, and some of his doings still resonate today like laws on child labor, and mind you he was only here 3 years

[@martharivera1590]

Would you please included more historical episodes on Mexico, I was born in Mexico and I will like to continue learning bmore about it, I have been living in the USA for 45 years and the more I researched the more facts I didn't know Iabout I find out. Thank you!

[@74aztlan]

The third brother, Archduke John of Austria was arguably the most talented and progressive of the siblings, kind of an local saint and known as the great modernizer here in Styria. Would probably have made a excellent ruler. Very interesting guy.

[@churro_gonzalez]

He was never a dictator!

[@spikespiegel6977]

Edgar Gonzalez nope just a puppet

[@mojav3_]

@@spikespiegel6977 maybe labled as one but not in actuality. He was abandoned by the French in part BECAUSE he refused to be a puppet for them. His loyalty was with Mexico.

[@Anti-Furry-tm4tr]

@@mojav3_ he wasnt abandoned by the French dont you remember the franco-German federation war As well as American Monroe doctrine if you didn't know recently U.S. annexed part of the territory of Mexico during that time that's why they didn't want to Strong stable Mexico. They wanted a US backed government Mexico.

[@Jason_Maier]

The thought of Napoleon III trying to get Texas to secede is just ..... so damn funny!

[@tsitsimash]

I've lived in Vienna all my life. Truly historic and close to my heart.

[@carlosmarte3154]

tsitsiuk That’s what I love about Europe. Any given structure predates anything you’d see in America. Also, Wien ist ein schöner Stadt. Ich besuche es und Süd Deutschland jeder Sommer. Hope that was intelligible, my German isn’t the best.

[@tsitsimash]

Carlos Marte not bad,not bad... ja, eine wirklich schöne und ruhige Stadt. hope you look forward to coming back.

[@papamike9866]

"Uncle Sam was going to be pissed when he discovers Frenchmen and pretend emperors playing his back yard." That was very funny and accurate.

[@exhaustedcoffee2603]

Pretend for the people that loved Juarez, real for everyone in Mexico during that period the people loved him

[@Duquedecastro]

It was not accurate. Maximilian was an elected Emperor of Mexico. The United States was the only country that didn’t formally recognize the Second Mexican Empire, I wonder the fu- why??

[@jasonsmith2497]

Uncle Sam is gonna be Piiiiiisssed - lol!

[@TrueRetroflection]

3:02 The legally-mandated mention of 1848

[@Biographics]

Always.

[@demostenes703]

I recommend to everybody who wants to know more about this passionate story, to read the novel: News from the empire by Fernando del Paso. Great book and a Mexican literature classic

[@gunslingingbird74]

Thank you for this video. In elementary and in middle school in Mexico we studied about him, but it was nowhere as detailed as this video. It was never explained that Napoleon III was the one responsible for him going to Mexico. What we were taught was that a group of Mexican aristocrats pleaded with him, staged a referendum in which only certain citizens with sympathizing views were allowed to participate, and that's how he was convinced to go to Mexico. Also, we were taught that he was French. Austria was never even mentioned in any history lesson about Maximilian.

[@AtaMarKat]

Our last Emperor for now, hombre. The Iturbides are still alive and kicking, as are the descendants of Moctezuma. I’d say, however, Maximilian was our best Emperor. He freed peasant debts and tried to help the Indians Juarez had injured in his idiocy, most native Mexicans living on church run reservations and depending on church charities, while introducing labor reforms and breaking up hacienda monopolies, which was his real screw up, because that cost him most of his support. Also, he was murdered alongside two of his top generals, and called them brothers before being shot.

[@shakes6381]

I lived in Mexico City between'70-76 and have been to Chapultepec castle numerous times that place just drips sadness this biography cements it more in my memory

[@stanlindert6332]

This is why Mexico produces so many fine lagers

[@alo5301]

What?

[@stanlindert6332]

Beers. German style lagers. Germany has a long history in Mexico. My favorite is Pacifico

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

He was an actual nice guy aristocrat who was just too naive to be on the world stage....more dreamer than dictator. Great video guys, thank you!

[@80sdatamachine]

Ughhh, I love that you guys are diving into the Habsburg family and people of Austria!

Has he done the most famous Austrian?

[@80sdatamachine]

Andrew Olson Depends on who you think is the most famous

@@80sdatamachine By any measurement a former corporal from WW1 is the most famous Austrian

[@arturowagner4728]

I'm Mexican ,and I can sau this is pretty accurate. Good work, Simon!

[@Brams2777]

It's not tho Only accurate if you're a Juarista

[@danti8510]

Juarez was the dictator

[@Overlord99762]

Nah, he was just short

[@corvus1374]

A guy put in place by an invasion isn't a dictator?

[@danti8510]

@@corvus1374 the Mexicans invited him they literally got a vote on whether they wanted him or not 😂

[@jphillipsf]

Dan Ti, I believe you meant Porfirio Díaz.

[@danti8510]

@@jphillipsf nope definitely meant Juarez

[@thextraordinary6810]

Damn this man sounded like he wouldve been a great person for mexico, mexico has so much potential but never has had a great leader to release its potential i myself might get a portrait for maximilian 1st 🇲🇽👍

[@vishalnarayanasamy8767]

What if Maximillian ruled Mexico

[@ElJuaritozz]

What if. I’d like to see that, Mexico is not in any better state it’s just been constant chaos

[@angelrodriguez732]

Maximiliano hermano, siempre fuiste Mexicano 😭💛

[@joecarson8281]

I read somewhere that they wanted to let him escape prison and end the whole thing, with the caveat that he had to shave his beard off so nobody would recognize him, but he refused. His beard was part of who he was and he wasn't going to deny himself. So he didn't shave, they didn't let him escape and he was executed.

[@joheyjonsson2825]

Juarez: I want a liberal reform!! Maximilian: I also want a liberal reform!! Juarez: I'm going to overthrow the new king, in the name of liberal reform!! Maximilian: Hey, let's work together for liberal reform! Juarez: No! I will make liberal reform happen by overthrowing you, king who wants liberal reform!! Me: This is really dumb. *goes and makes tea'

[@hidof9598]

So good!

[@josejonhson674]

You want Juarez to let a foreigner invade and take over the country he was elected to rule. You eurocentrics are ridiculous.

[@chaoscapricorn13]

me a hispanic after drinking tea: bloody hell

[@canadiankewldude]

By the way, it was *_Maximilian who had doubts_* about the votes. I doubt there exists any real evidence supporting this, beyond useful propaganda.

[@canadiankewldude]

He conveniently forgot to mention that *_Maximilian Pardoned almost all of them,_* very few ever faced a firing squad. Maximilian made reforms to help the poor, these and much more good is why the elite marginalize him.

[@megangibbs4158]

Max I is chaotic good incarnate. He sounds freaking lit.

[@battousai9795]

Oh wow, I commented on another video that a video on Maximillian would be super interesting, and it was. It's insane thinking that we had an emperor. He's the one that commissioned "Paseo de la Reforma" to be built. That's the big street in mexico city that's full of skyscrapers. To this day some people see him as the good guy and Juarez as the bad guy. I don't really know what to think about that, I just know it's sad that he's not really talked about that much around here.

[@Duquedecastro]

He even invented the black charro suit that mariachis still wear today!

[@crystalpollio4395]

I grew up in Texas. We were taught more about European history than Mexican. I never knew any of this

[@somebody3143]

It IS surprising that Maximilian was an even somewhat capable Rear Admiral of the Navy!

[@alo5301]

he was the brother of the emperor. if i wished he could become archbishop. But he was not stupid. So he was not a bad leader im the navy.

[@meeeka]

Franz Josef had to contend with the minute interventions of his mother, Sofia a member of the very inbred and ultimately very crazy, uBavarian royal family.

[@angc214]

I don't know about Maximilian, but his beard certainly has my vote.

[@williamstocker584]

Everyone had awesome beards back in that time

[@__prometheus__]

-Un- popular opinion: Maximilian was better than Benito

[@Brams2777]

Not really that unpopular honestly

[@alejandroaramberri4255]

Unpopular in 20th century but in 21 century mostly evryone sees juarez as a traitor

[@sebastianprimomija8375]

You would be surprised how popular that opinion is.

[@__prometheus__]

Glad to see I want mercilessly attacked (yet)

[@__prometheus__]

Sebastian Primomija thank god

[@Crescentine]

Thanks for always making such great quality biographies

[@brandoncampos2452]

This is sad. A man who was not Mexican tried to lead a country that had none nothing but war and instability, was still loyal to the same country who executed him. The man tried his best with what he had.

[@alejandromartinezmontes6700]

Stoked to see this biography. I first heard about Maximilian from Mike Duncan's Revolutions podcast. Series 9 delves into the whole of the Mexican Revolution.

[@hakeemfullerton8645]

Can you Please do a video on Congolese Politician Patrice Lumumba

[@principsagustus2318]

It was also a big Rumor at court that Maximilian’s dad was actually Napoleon the second. Explaining his relationship with Napoleon the third.

[@todddougherty9492]

Uncle Sam was gonna be pissed when he found out..... That killed me!!!!🤣🤣

[@mdc3148]

Maximilian was a Mexican Emperor, it doesn’t matter how many times you write or say that he was a dictator.

[@takemapants]

Thats the most patriothic and honorable invador that we ever had :')

[@Ruby321123]

May the new year bring you all endless luck, happiness, & prosperity; and may it bring us many fine Biographics & Geographics to come. 🥂

[@elreydelbrocoli]

The reason he accepted was because the conservative faction forged tons of letters where imaginary Mexicans were asking him to become emperor.

[@LordDim1]

Modern estimates do place legitimate support for Maximilian as emperor as anywhere between 40 to 60% at the time of his ascension to the throne though. Many Mexicans were conservative, and the conservatives were generally pro-monarchy. The problem was he angered these conservatives by being too liberal

[@Plectognath]

Sometimes it’s just obvious that the good guy lost in the end, no matter how hard you spin the story.

[@ravenlord4]

I keep thinking of an Alt History Mexico that controls Central America and a large chunk of South America, treats Brazil as a USA version of Canada, and bickers with the USA over the Caribbean Islands. Maximilian, you had your chance bro.

[@vishalnarayanasamy8767]

So, what language would Mexico be speaking today if Maximillian was the ruler

[@ravenlord4]

@@vishalnarayanasamy8767 Now that's a really good question. He grew up speaking German but was also fluent in French early on, and then Spanish and several other languages. My guess is that the Mexican Empire's official language would have remained Spanish, but heavily influenced by French and German. Kind of like how Britain always retained English as its main language, but became heavily influence by French after the Norman conquest in 1066.

[@vishalnarayanasamy8767]

Would Mexico under Maximillian have people migrating from Austrian-Hungary Empire to Mexico

[@ravenlord4]

@@vishalnarayanasamy8767 Maybe. European emigration to the New World was always a thing. Mostly Western Europeans to North America and Southern Europeans to South America (Italians to Argentina, Portuguese to Brazil, and Spainish all around). I could see where Central Europeans might find Mexico attractive in that scenario.

[@jmchez]

So, In Mexico an Austrian wanted to be seen as Mexican and, later, Porfirio Diaz, a half Indian Mexican dictator wanted to be seen as European.

[@mbulanzoka6784]

Happy New Year/Decade. I have learned so much from you! Thanks for that! Can't wait to see what you have planned for us! Keep up the great j.

[@cosl7626]

¿"Dictator"? The second mexican empire was a Constirutional Monarchy, not an Absolutist Monarchy.