The Last Emperor of Mexico

Emperor Maximilian I was the first and last ruler of the Second Mexican Empire-but his history is so much more sordid than even his doomed title implies. Beginning life as a coddled Austrian Prince, Maximilian rose through the royal ranks through bitter jealousy, overweening ambition, and searing entitlement. Yet all it took for his downfall was one brutal betrayal.
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[@tamer1773]

Maximillian's behavior at the end certainly was honorable. The treament of his remains and artifacts associated with his death wasn't his dishonor, but the dishonor of those who took part. He also declined the honor of standing in the center of the group about to be executed, but insisted instead that that honor go to one of his loyal Generals who was sentenced to die with him.

[@MrOliveg21]

Ev🎉e😢😢😢w

[@rgi8426]

His biggest mistake was trusting the french 😂😂😂

[@tytn9978]

Ah yes, NEVER trust the French! Even Churchill had issues with some of the French "leaders" in WW2. Mind you, Churchill had issues with most leaders!

[@chuyesque]

His second biggest mistake was trusting the elites in Mexico. They turned on him as soon as he started liberalizing the government.

[@Schlachthof5]

Not the French but Napoleon III.

[@CsStoker]

Just like the Cretans at the siege of Candia

[@pedroarjona6996]

Well, they were expecting a short and easy military campaign, faulty intelligence, and ended with a long and hard occupation. Combine that with a worsening European situation, and the French retreat.

[@Obleo575]

Maximilian last words were more noble than infamous

[@bubbahottep8644]

Absolutely. Great accent though.

[@Duquedecastro]

Republican slants never cease with these people

[@Duquedecastro]

@@andrewrogers5962 In Spanish: “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 gave quite a few other touching speeches, especially for Mexican Independence Day, and was also the first to commemorate the grito de Dolores, which is now given by every president on the balcony of the National Palace. Viva México! 🇲🇽

[@xhagast]

He died as an emperor should. And why not? When you know you must go, go well. It costs you nothing and you are remembered as a man.

[@trevormiles5852]

from your mouth to to others who shall remain nameless. Too late for any honor for him and followers.

[@mnk9073]

Maximilian I was by far the most liberal monarch easily a century ahead of all his contemporaries, a highly capable administrator and a huge champion for the rights of the indiginous peoples. He made it a point to speak both Spanish as well as Nahuatl and frequently went out to speak with the villagers to get the real picture of what they need. He reached out to the Liberals time and time again, even going so far as to offering Benito Juárez the job of Prime Minister. It's a shame this great man was lied to, betrayed and backstabbed by the very men who wanted him as a puppet for their own profane goals...

[@avicennitegh1377]

He found his calling if it wasn't for the opposition and had many loyal to him to the end. That says a lot about him and that he had class.

[@alexanderyaroslavich2703]

Regardless of his personal ideals, he was a puppet placed in charge of a foreign country based upon dubious circumstances that had nothing to to with any rightful claim to the sovereignty of the Mexican state. It was pure extortion by the French. As an American, in some ways I'd like for a foreign nation to override our effed-up politics, and to set things straight, but also as an American, I think that any foreign entity that was bent on taking over our country because of a BS technicality is not the way to do it. He was a tool of the Hapsburgs still butthurt over the loss of their territory, and Napoleon III's megalomaniacal drive to best his uncle as a political arbiter.

[@henryvonblumenthal7307]

Not „the most liberal by far of his contemporaries“ surely? What about the Emperor of Brazil who was overthrown because he wanted to end slavery? Or Kaiser Frederick III whose short reign was tragically cut short? Or the liberal Queen of Spain who was almost a republican?

[@eldermillennial8330]

@@henryvonblumenthal7307 “Liberal” about what, is an important question , as well. “Dirty Bertie”, Victoria’s sleazy brat, “Edward the Caresser” was a SEXUAL liberal, radically so, but was staunchly conservative on all other issues. So they were all over the place.

[@diegoflores9237]

He wasn't born in mexico. Even in the USA today they don't accept anyone not born here to be president. Mexicans should be governed by Mexicans. Just like the Chinese are governed by a Chinese and the British are governed by a British.

[@angelasoto4540]

Maximilian was a good Emperor, he behaved honorably at the end. Tragic circumstances and the agony of defeat.

[@stevehomer7741]

The 1939 movie "Juarez" is an oscar winning dramatization of the Emperor Maxilimillan's story. I highly recommend a viewing as it has great performances by Paul Muni, Betty Davis and Brian Aherene.

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

Great movie, but it didn’t focus on Juarez as much as the title suggested. I’d love to see this saga done as a miniseries, like the PBS/BBC series about Queen Victoria.

[@estebancorral5151]

Veracruz was a better movie and with an all star cast. Gary Cooper, Sarita Montiel, Cesar Romero. Chuck Connors, Burt Lancaster, Charles Bushinsky a.k.a Chuck Bronson, and Ernest Borgnine.

[@MrArthoz]

Quoting Studio C: "Aim for my heart, men! You can't break what's already broken.".

[@BrendaMartinez-vk7qo]

I went to his castle in Trieste, Italy. Miramare Castle is so beautiful and situated on the edge of ocean. He gave it all up just to be executed in Mexico.

[@markswift]

I've been to scenic Trieste, Italy, too. I have photos of the castle.

[@Duquedecastro]

He didn’t give it up for that, he gave it up for a a chance to found his own dynasty and rule a country he could mold into a great empire.

[@ladyagnes9430]

It was Trieste Austria at the time.

[@andercoyote4170]

He had a pretty nice castle in Mexico. Chapultepec.

[@user-bn8jv8bv1v]

​@@Duquedecastro always lit a cig for what could've been...a politically independent industrial mexico

[@santimarxer5784]

Emperor Maximilian and Emperess Carlotta are some of the most illustruous and noble characters in Mexican history. Few mexicans have loved Mexico as much as they did, and for that, they should be appreciated.

[@tesmith47]

Bull crap

[@carlosw1687]

You are so wrong your comment is laughable

[@santimarxer5784]

@@carlosw1687 You'd rather have a US puppet?

[@Duquedecastro]

Agreed! Viva el Imperio Mexicano! Viva Maximiliano I y Viva la Emperatriz Carlota! 🇲🇽

[@carlosenriquegonzalez-isla6523]

No mames wey

[@RaccoonHenry]

if you come to Mexico, you can visit the castle where they lived (Castillo de Chapultepec, shown here but not named) and the place he was executed, both very interesting and worth the time!!

[@Kwolfx]

In Vienna; where Maximillian is buried, they will show you the blood stained tunic Max was wearing when he met his fate. What is surprising is the Austrian tour guides appear to have no understanding why Maximillian was executed. They treat it like his death was a murder or assassination.😂😂

[@BrendaMartinez-vk7qo]

Go to his castle in Trieste, Italy 🇮🇹

[@kaloarepo288]

@@Kwolfx A long time ago I was touring the Kaisergruft in Vienna and there was a middle aged Texan couple who were a bit bewildered as to what the place was all about as they had zero knowledge of Austrian history and of the Habsburg royalty buried here. I was able to point out the tomb of Maximilian and explained to them that he had been emperor of Mexico at the time when probably most of Texas had been part of his empire. That's when they started to get interested in this amazing crypt. The amazing thing is that at first one seems to be in a suburban shopping arcade and then you go down a very plain stairway and you are in an amazing world of huge bronze and brass sarcophagi with reclining figures of grand dukes, archduchesses, counts and indeed Holy Roman emperors and the like. Quite surreal.

[@RaccoonHenry]

@@BrendaMartinez-vk7qo that sounds amazing, I'd love to visit!

[@RaccoonHenry]

@@kaloarepo288 wow, that sounds really interesting too!

[@nomdeguerre7265]

Maximilian was doomed the moment Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Rather than permitting Sheridan, one of his most fiery commanders, celebrate the victory on the Union, Grant ordered him and a large force, to move close to the Mexican border. The United States government began supplying arms and supplies to Juarez openly on a large scale. Napoleon III got the message, and withdrew his troops from Mexico.

[@lucario2188]

Yes, we even have information that some soldiers from the USA changed into Mexican Republican uniforms and crossed the border.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

BINGO! Texas was itchy too. again, again.

[@Sodbusterrod]

I think he was doomed the moment he went to his barber.

[@eldermillennial8330]

Never mind that a super majority of Mexicans objectively supported Maximilian. Still, Harry Turtledove’s more optimistic take on Max’s fate had the Confederacy won seems naive. They were no less rabid anti-Catholics than the Union leaders. They MIGHT have tolerated a Protestant king, ultimately did tolerate a Catholic republic, but a Catholic monarchy? No chance, sadly, the Mexican people’s will be damned. You could say it was the last, VERY belated battle of the 30 years war.

[@jaimeruiz521]

​@@eldermillennial8330a majority of Mexicans? Lol I think not. There's a reason why his empire came after "the Reforma war" a bloody civil war between Mexican factions. Plenty of ppl opposed him.

[@alanwerner8563]

For the longest time I had possession of the Empress Carlotta’s precious Broadwood piano, while her distant heirs fought about what to do with the thing. It was accompanied by a large valise/file containing much publicity/articles about this story and related matters. One of the cooler projects I’ve been involved in

[@Duquedecastro]

Where did it come from? And where is it now

[@LibertyLover5103]

2 great Novelas from Televisa ( Mexico TV ) The 1st about the History of the Mexican Battle for Independence from Spain. The 2cd was about the Life of Porfiro Diaz which also tells the story of the fall of Maximilian. ( Avuela de Aguila ) Flight of the Eagle.

[@jamesl9371]

Royal intrigue is the biggest soap opera ever in history

[@Sowhat300]

If you line up the dates the rumor that Napoleon’s son (the Duke of Reichstadt) fathered Maximillian is possible. Sophie was treated like trash by the Hapsburg court, and purportedly played house in her chambers with the Duke of Reichstadt the year before she had Maxmillan. Napoleon’s son died of tuberculosis the month before Maxmillan was born. That could be the reason Franz-Joseph hated his brother who wasn’t really his brother. It also could explain Napoleon III’s interest in making Maxmillan the Emperor of Mexico. Makes sense to me.

[@pacopeso8474]

I live in Queretaro, Mexico. The place of Maximillian's execution is close to a medical clinic I go to every month.

[@kichigan1]

Thanks. This is very interesting and informative. I knew next to nothing about the Last Emperor of Mexico.

[@jjww30]

I just assumed he asked his friends to erase his browser history.

[@chukwunomsootusi3155]

😅

[@briannat1086]

You obviously graduated.

[@LenaFerrari]

A very good take of this part of history (from empress Carlota's perspective) is on the video "empress Carlota of Mexico and the habsburg mexican empire" (something like this) by Lindsay Holiday (history tea time). Worth watching. It's complementary to this one, since focus on a different "character"

[@Duquedecastro]

It’s tiring to see so many liberal and Republican slants on these videos however, with her as well as this guy.

[@maxinejacobson4006]

Visited Chapultepec in 2018, it’s magnificent and well worth a visit.

[@estobart]

Becoming Commander in Chief of the Navy at age 22 is not that difficult. Not when it is your brother who decides who is Commander in Chief of the Navy.

[@tekay44]

well put. worked his way up from commodore, lol.

[@myronfrobisher]

I suggest you do some research in order to understand his accomplishments - they were real and he was a genuine mariner. You won't like this but a lot of what is in this presentation is self serving propaganda.

[@estobart]

@@myronfrobisher Maximillian was made Lieutenant in in the Navy in October 1850. He was made Chief of the Navy in September 1854. No matter how much of a "genuine mariner" you are you can't get from Lieutenant to Counter Admiral in less than 4 years unless you have very high connections.

[@myronfrobisher]

@@estobart never said that, that was not a factor - of course he got the royal push - that was de rigueur for the time - 1850 is not now - in some ways mores the pity.

[@estobart]

@@myronfrobisher That was the only point I was making. I am aware that, as Commander in Chief, Maximillian's reforms modernized the Navy. However, it is a lot easier to get Government funds allocated for building new ships and creating new ports in the Mediterranean when your big brother is the Emperor.

[@georgeholguin5847]

You are the only person I have ever heard call her Charlotte. Her Spanish name was Carlota, the name she took as Mexican empress. Charlotte was a Belgian princess. Carlota embraced Mexico as did Maximiliano. Benito Juarez had his own agenda. By executing Maximiliano he was insuring his own political survival. By getting rid of Maximilaino by firing squad he was showing that he could get rid of any opposition the same way. Maximiliano and Carlota were probably the best political chance Mexico had, but Mexico has traditionally passed up good opportunities.

[@emanuellopez1301]

Do you actually believe that if the monarchy had survived they would always be good people? You obviously haven't heard of all the corruption the Spanish King has done.

[@Duquedecastro]

@@emanuellopez1301Why wouldn’t they be? It’s in their interest to be good monarchs had they stayed. Why would they work so hard to create a more flair atmosphere for the Indigenous as well as average Mexicans, if they were just going to turn around and become “tyrants”. That makes no sense.

[@emanuellopez1301]

@@Duquedecastro well the spanish monarchs became tyrants and everyone else too. So yeah it makes perfect sense. They're humans like you and i. They are not above or godly like everyone else seems to think they are.

[@Duquedecastro]

I agree. But what most people don’t realize is that it wasn’t because Mexico “passed it up” entirely. It was the 🇺🇸. They did everything in their power to rid it from their sphere of influence. Of course 🇺🇸 didn’t want a strong and prosperous Mexican empire at their doorstep. There was a story about one of Juarez’ generals who wanted to burn down Puebla because they were saddened by the loss of the imperial forces. That says a lot about Mexico’s real attitude towards the Mexican Empire. There is another story about one of Juarez’ wanting to “off” all the sympathizers of the empire in his ranks. One of his advisors told him if he did that, he wouldn’t have very many supporters left!

[@emanuellopez1301]

@@Duquedecastro of course the US didn't want any foreign power nearby. But it was actually Mexico that did most of the work to get rid of them. So that alone tells me that you really don't know history. Yes I know about Juárez. But maximiliano did in fact order the execution of those who oppose him. So back to my point he is not some benevolent person who only wanted to help make a prosperous México. None of these monarchs are. Did you ever wonder why most of the monarchs in Europe were executed or had their powers taken away?

[@user-wf4cq2kl2n]

Mark McCummins An interesting, yet melancholy story with a treacherous background. Maximilian was more than Napoleon IIIs stooge; Napoleon had a different goal entirely. Both Great Britain and France were awash with their victory over Russia just 7 years before the American War Between the States. When this war broke out, both Great Britain and France supported the Confederacy. What France was doing in Mexico was their attempt at a foothold on the border of the Confederacy. Had the war gone the way of the South, France could have supplied them from Mexico. Notice that barely one year after the Confederate surrender Napoleon III abandoned this venture in Mexico. Doubtless Maximilian gave little thought to the end of the American Civil War, despite this being the only reason that he was Emperor of Mexico. This is tragic indeed.

[@ronaldmessina4229]

I am so very sorry for the SOUTH, and I do NOT like the inglish, but the FRENCH are all very good 👍 and I would hope that, one day, prior to my death 💀,that i would be able to see all of the wonderful things that la BELLE FRANCE 🇫🇷 has to offer, ! Vive la FRANCE!❤😊😊

[@akaLaBrujaRoja]

Neither Britain nor France “supported the Confederacy.”

[@user-wf4cq2kl2n]

@@akaLaBrujaRoja Then why did the Confederate Secretary of the Treasury Judah Benjamin flee to Great Britain, where he was welcomed? And why would Napoleon III even consider building a Mexican Empire? Yes, both countries supported the South, especially for King Cotton. Read history before the flights of fancy.

[@rozchristopherson648]

@@ronaldmessina4229 If by "the SOUTH" you mean the Confederates, why are you sorry for them? They wanted to continue slavery. Are you saying you favor slavery?

[@MrLanternland]

@@rozchristopherson648 Here comes the woke brigade swishing in.

[@JavierBonillaC]

We have to hear 1 hour of stories of him and his toys? This is what Chat GPT says: Just before he was executed by firing squad, Emperor Maximilian of Mexico reportedly expressed calmness and dignity. He declared his love for Mexico and its people and handed out gold coins to the firing squad, asking them to aim well and spare his face. His last words emphasized his sentiments and wishes, showcasing his composure and grace in the face of death. Or go to 17:41.

[@Jorge-yy3dd]

Sure, he could not have spoken after being executed ...

[@JavierBonillaC]

@Jorge-yy3dd What an absurd comment, but maybe you're very young. Don't worry. He could have said it 2 days before being executed, and I wrote "he said JUST before being executed." You see the difference? I'm a professor of logic.

[@sipjedekat8525]

Or... you could interest yourself in the backstory and educate yourself a little instead of displaying the attention span of a goldfish.

[@JavierBonillaC]

@@sipjedekat8525 I've studied the biography of Maximiliano de Habsburgo before. I have a deep interest in President Juárez and specially (me being an Economist) the lectures of his Finance Minister Guillermo Prieto. I've taught my students with those lectures in hand. It puzzled me why President Juarez would ultimately make the decision of having him executed.

[@thomasesau2376]

In order to be announced into the Imperial court; ALL 16 of one's great grandparents had to be nobility. That's how insulated the Viennese court was. Grand Duke Ferdinand was forced to declare his marrige "morganatic" because he married only a countess.

[@8646aaron]

You do a great job.

[@luigifranceschi2350]

Had Maximilian stayed put and outlived his brother he would have become emperor of Austria. Franz Joseph and Sissi had only one son, Rudolf, which died by suicide in 1889. Thereafter the apparent heir became Franz Ferdinand, which was the first son of the younger brother of Maximilian, Karl Ludwig. Unfortunately for Franz Ferdinand he was killed in the infamous hit in Sarajevo that sparked WWI. Thereafter the apparent heir became Charles that was actually only the son of Otto Franz, the second son of the Karl Ludwig mentioned above. And finally Charles became emperor in 1916 at the death of Franz Joseph and was the last emperor, for only 2 years because the Austrian empire ceased to exist in 1918 at the end of WWI. But must be also said that Maximilian would have to live at least 84 years old, given the fact that in 1916 he would have reached that age. Which at that time would have been quite an accomplishment. His brother Franz Joseph was 86 at the time of his seat and was 2 years senior.

[@waichui2988]

How life could have turned out, if this happened instead of that. Franz Joseph lived until 1916. By that time, the Austria-Hungarian Empire was about to become the loverly little Austria we know today. Even if Maximilian were to live that long (a big IF), and spent decades seething with frustration and envy, the price was not worth it. Had Maximilian stayed put, by the complicated rules of European royal succession, and some luck, he became his bother's successor, he may have been the one going to Sarajevo.

[@user-tv6mw8vx3w]

Rudolph’s story, the film Mayerling.

[@lucario2188]

Max is very dearly remembered by a lot of Mexicans. If you visit his tomb in Austria you will find roses and sometimes flags from thw Second Mexican Empire that Mexican that visited his tomb left.

[@henryvonblumenthal7307]

What about the Emperor Iturbide?

[@lucario2188]

@@henryvonblumenthal7307 Since the Mexican revolution of 1920. He has been basically treated has a national traitor, something which shouldn't happen. His name used to be engraved in Golden letters in Congress. Well after the Mexican revolution they got rid of that. But his Image is changing in higher education bodies independent from the Mexican Secretary of Education. Mexico history has been very manipulated by the State with people recieving more objective analysis of their history until they reach university level of education due to the university being autonomous from the central goverment.

[@lucario2188]

​@@henryvonblumenthal7307 bad due to the Mexican revolution of 1920. They demonized his image, got rid lf his Name that was engraved in golden letters in Congress. His image is changing in autonomous bodies independent from the Central Goverment.

[@Duquedecastro]

@@henryvonblumenthal7307Him as well, and he has a very nice burial place with even more flags, however, Emperor Maximilian is a bit more remembered.

[@lucario2188]

@@henryvonblumenthal7307 He is remembered worse due to Mexico education system.

[@BirdDogey1]

He was a much better ruler than a century of those that followed him.

[@panatypical]

Being nobility isn't all it's cracked up to be

[@istoppedcaring6209]

I don't think that Maximilian got a fair shot here, there is a strong hatred for monarchies today, I don't like them either, but despite his privilige I can't call him incompetent or even overly arrogant, it seems to me that he was genuinely impressive going as far as doing something which neither his father in law, nor most of his own family ever did, learn the languages of his subjects. Love him or hate him he did not get a fair shake here.

[@Duquedecastro]

People are just taught to dislike monarchs in the US. It’s literally just another form of government and if done right can be much better than what the US (allegedly) has

[@jimwhalen5675]

I agree absolutely

[@tszirmay]

The narrator's intimate knowledge of minute little details of Max's childhood and life is quite remarkable for a 200 year-old . Very impressive

[@christianliechtenstein4879]

this ´intimate knowledge´ is more his opinion than fact !

[@paraguaymike5159]

The saddest part of this story is the fact that the "headstrong " Sophie had any power at court whatsoever.

[@avicennitegh1377]

That hat! at 15.47 - amazing paintings and visuals.

[@RaccoonHenry]

very well researched and prestented! (tiny note, the city he fled to is pronounced QuerÉtaro, in case it ever shows up again in another video)

[@ronaldmessina4229]

I am so very sorry that Max was murdered in México 🇲🇽, because I do believe that he would have become a very great emperor and he, perhaps, would have been able to assist the citizens of México 😢

[@Duquedecastro]

@@ronaldmessina4229You should repost your comment on the main thread, I gave it a thumbs up

[@thurstonthistle9059]

Was not unprincipled, well he did have thousands of individuals executed.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

Yay, our fav narrator on this channel!

[@whiteknightcat]

Well, I learned something new today. Nice video.

[@properburger7378]

Undue tears apart, just as the title said; he was and will be the last emperor of México (you say it in a nostalgic way, we do it a rather stern but happy way), one that never should have been. The man was an apparent honorable liberal, rightious and intelligent individual, but sadly a man that ended betraying even his own ideals, specially after his bad judgement kept his steps on the wrong side of history. He died how and when he did because it was needed, to send a message to the "civilized" ones that Mexico was no more a land for grabs. You all need to understand that Benito Juárez it's like our Lincoln (they, Juárez and Lincoln, were pen pals actually, and Juárez was profoundly devastated when Lincoln was shot and killed), And Maximiliano was the symbol of a time that had to end, so that the México of today could prevail and exist as it is, in all its own and timeless glory. One thing that many mexicans (me included) respect and admire of Maximiliano is that he seamed to truly like and respect the local cultures, or maybe was to gain their favor(?), I don't know, and in a way I choose to believe that it was the first case, to the point of him learning one of the indigenous languages, besides spanish... nobody disputes his intellect and competency in that regard. Great production and storytelling, I don't blame you for centering in the western view point of this tragic but quite interesting story, In any case you have a new sub here. Saludos desde CDMX.

[@Redlined997_C2S]

Fascinating. Well done.

[@joevasquez3434]

Well done video.

[@darthtraya5992]

I love your videos!!

[@miguel.ledesmaledesma1790]

Excellent video about a topic not taught in American 🇺🇸 Schools obviously,and which I yearned for more information on. Thanks 🙏🏾.

[@angusmacdonald7187]

A large reason that the French took off so quickly is that Pres Johnson send Gen Sherman along with about 20,000 troops to the Texas-Mexican border.

[@joseluis-dj7ur]

Main reason was the withdrawal of french troops ordered by Napoleon III since Prussia was arming and preparing the war against his Empire. He needed all the force he could gather in the homeland. At the end, 3 years later the war against Prussia began. Juarez army could bloodily beat the remaining frenchmen and the conservatives that supported them.

[@maggiebastolla5430]

There’s nothing wrong with a white person adopting a child of another race. I have white friends who went into the adoption process just requesting a health sibling set that needed a home. Almost a year later (and after an intensive home study) the adoption agency picked two little African American brothers for them to love. They’ve been a happy, complete family for 5 years now.

[@ramblinrose8]

Charlize Theron has beautiful children of a different color.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

My friend several sib groups and singles 7 altogether All from same country in Africa Plus they have 10 bio

[@eugenecbell]

It is just people adopting people. We shouldn’t let racism prevent loving families.

[@maggiebastolla5430]

@@sarahjeannepeterson5536 see 11:08

[@MrMomo182]

He implied Mexicans aren't white by saying 'rich white people' adopted the grandsons of Augustin I, from when Mexico was ruled by 'real Mexicans'. They were from Spain. Agustin's father was born in Navarra. The House of Moctezuma are grandes of Spain, however, and interbred with Spanish nobility. The Habsburgs were also rulers of Spain and, by extension Mexico. Weirdly aggressive take on complicated history, but whatever.

[@leslielutz6140]

BEST narrator !!!

[@StephenMerchant-up8sg]

Scottish. Great nation. Also historically led by fools or crooks

[@georgiodelaface2941]

They really should make a Netflix series about this, good stuff

[@user-vj7el2wg9b]

I don't know why, but one of Manet's paintings of the execution (he did several) hangs in the Kunstgalerie in Mannheim. The painter put Maximilian in the middle, like Jesus flanked by the two thieves. His sombrero resembles a halo, and it is no accident that the soldiers in the firing squad wear distinctly French-looking uniforms.

[@soldierjack1]

A very good presentation.

[@user-jk7vz8tw3q]

good story. the couple had spendid parties duringntheir rule in mexicio, the national and famous music of mexico, the mariachi was diring this time, the word comes from the french word marriage, music played during themany wedding parties that took place at their palace.so they left an enduring legacy.mariachi music,unequal in the world. then musical soul of mexico..

[@georgewilkie3580]

Well said, Zutrue. Thank You.

[@l.m.mccormick1470]

Adoption is rich white people thing to do? If I remember history right, that tradition goes all the way back to biblical times in the Middle East

[@user-fq8rs7rz3i]

Ignore. It’s just race baiters taking advantage of the present climate of’Blame white people ‘ for everything’. Ugh

[@rahowherox1177]

Lol... Arabs/hews are white... Caucasian, indo Europeans and semetic ... And the ones adopting rich...

[@georgewhitehead8185]

To mccormick, who would you put forth as your example of "way back to biblical times in the Middle East?" Thank you, Doctor George Whitehead

[@ray.shoesmith]

I'm adopted and my parents were far from rich

[@pauloakwood9208]

@@georgewhitehead8185 On the way back to biblical times there was Caesar Augustus (whose real name was Octavian,) and in actual biblical times: Moses.

[@harveyabel1500]

He's why I named my female brown tabby Kelly Maximilian😺

[@elolddeinternet4833]

NGL as a mexican i wish he stayed alive

[@Duquedecastro]

Same!

[@user-fu5rz1gc6w]

Viva Juárez, y obrador.!!

[@Duquedecastro]

@@user-fu5rz1gc6w yeah because everything is so great now

[@charlybeagrie1119]

Did Max bring out a book called Spare?

[@calcimagnes9124]

Except, Max had principles and worked hard.

[@Robert-tj3qq]

​@@calcimagnes9124at what , Manipulating ?

[@nancyadamson286]

😂😂😅😅😂

[@avicennitegh1377]

My thoughts too - is anything new under the sun?

[@zutrue]

Like most princes he was spoiled??? I have a problem with speaking in absoluteness when referring to any whole class of people. Without a doubt there have been, a probably still are, some spoiled princes. But there have been some princes that were altruistic, heroic, dedicated and gracious too. I don't see how you are going to justify and validate "most" princes were or are spoiled.

[@RicardoJoseReza]

Those stoic, great leader princes are the exception not the norm.

[@500midnightmary]

zutrue: The only prince we have experienced lately is a particularly spoiled cry-bully who is not altruistic, heroic, dedicated or gracious. Most people do not understand history and how it relates to the current world. Forgive us, when the narrator said how the younger brother was spoiled and jealous of his older brother, constantly trying to compete with said brother, there was one specific spoiled, greedy, dim, obnoxious, useless prince we thought of who sadly has none of the honorable traits the one who was the subject of this video had, that could have made him an excellent emperor. This is evident in reading other comments.

[@kenlounders5399]

He stood in front of the firing squad a man. Benito went into exile . Afraid of the fate he gave Maximilian .

[@RicardoJoseReza]

@@kenlounders5399 Where did you get your facts? Benito was reelected president and died a year latter of heart problems. Maximiliano stood un front if his firing sqqyad? Yes. He really didn't hace a choice.

[@DuelingBongos]

So was Max's body ever returned to Austria so his mother Sophie could see his face?

[@bklynbubba]

Yes it was and he is entombed in the Kapuziner Kirche in Vienna, along with all the other Habsburgs.

[@MrMomo182]

Charlotte's father's first wife was Princess Charlotte of UK, George IV's only daughter. When she died in childbirth, Leopold was crushed and later named his daughter after her. But for that, she would have been Queen of UK instead of Victoria. Leopard's sister was Queen Victoria's mother, so they are cousins.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

"Overweaning ambition and searing entitlement" - A picture of every 'royal' that ever existed.

[@jadakowers590]

Check out 1939’s film, Juarez.

[@user-by2dk9ns8s]

an absolute classic.

[@truthray2885]

This was a great and timely video! I really loved it! Not lying, I was boring my wonderful girlfriend only two days ago with the bit I knew about Maximilian in Mexico. A happy coincidence!!

[@str8eye]

just watched "Empress" on netflix so this vid was all the more reason so interesting

[@pammeinzer6757]

Very, very interesting.

[@southerncross3638]

One quote by Maximilian that has been lost to time is * remember Mexican food is all the same, the only difference is in how it's folded* then they shot him.😅

[@avicennitegh1377]

Retroactively from Billy Connolly I see.

[@lonniemonroe2714]

TRUTH. And smells like dog

[@ObsydianShade]

Joachim Murat, a French field marshal of cavalry and King of Naples for a time did it better facing his own firing squad, saying "I have faced death too many times to fear it," then turning to his firing squad: "Do your duty! Straight to the heart but spare the face. Fire!"

[@bklynbubba]

Good job. Very thorough and accurate except for one small, almost infinitesimal detail - Charlotte changed her name to Carlotta while they were the Vice Regal rulers of Lombardy - Venetia. She loved Italy - but they of course did not love her back. Her mother was a French Princess, the daughter of King Louis Philippe, so maybe Italy appealed to her Latin side.....

[@Cobbmtngirl]

I don’t see the link to the video about the empress. This happens quite often. Js

[@chrisk5651]

Show him who was boss?!?! The sailor boy is going to show the Emperor that the sailor is boss?!?!?

[@carolannemckenzie3849]

Lol

[@winkybarnett6909]

I have to say you are by far my favorite announcer ❤

[@Factinate]

Thanks for the love!

[@michaelrooney1454]

Never really knew of this brother of the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph. I know more about him as I've done European History in High School

[@Kelp8140]

Why do historical accounts claim women of distinction are beautiful when they are not?

[@lovelyandsmartcommentator5130]

That's all that is important within PATERARCIAL societies.

[@gardnep]

They had a dowry, just like today, it buys a lot of beauty

[@ChongLi99]

Each period have different standards of beauty, times change.

[@danielmota1095]

Back then if you called them skinny, white pale and freckle face the penalty was death THE GUILLOTINE!!!

[@j8sonnguyen]

His request was: "Please don't make a KZbin video about me"😂

[@rongendron8705]

Thanks for explaining the rise & fall of Mexico's Emperor Maximilian, better than I have ever seen before! I understand that the United States ( which had just finished their Civil War) wanted no part of a European Dictator, being in charge of a neighboring country & assisted Benito Juarez in Maximilian's ouster.Imagine if Austria had remained in charge of Mexico, until 1914, i.e. WWI or even 1939 i.e. WWII , what could have happened?

[@Henry-HarrisonClarke]

Maximillian was hardly a dictator

[@Duquedecastro]

No, the US wanted no part in a successful and prosperous Mexican Empire as neighbors. Everything went as planned.

[@maureentuohy8672]

Well, there’s a face only a blind mother could love.

[@user-by2dk9ns8s]

He was considered good looking at the time--he had real golden blond hair and very blue eyes and symmetrical features and a slim athletic figure. He was also taller than average. I think if you remove his weird muttonchops, you would see he looks like some of the attractive modern day men in Austria now. JMHO.

[@avicennitegh1377]

@@user-by2dk9ns8s agree - just the hair stylist let him down. Amazing eyes and deportment. Though I understand men were so particular about their hair in those days he was dashing.

[@marsbeads]

The lower part of his face was too long.

[@scottbeckman5502]

well narrated.

[@ML-dz5ix]

Well done. I’ve sometimes wondered who Juarez was. Now I know.

[@danielmota1095]

Juarez had very humble beginnings a full blooded Mexican Indian Spanish was his second language. He lived in New Orleans for a short time so the story goes .

[@markmoreno7295]

Remnants of French culture are to be seen in many places in Mexico, from berets, certain songs, and croissants. As for this last emperor, perhaps he was disillusioned in believing that he could tame the land of the jaguar and rule a far larger country than his brother. Or perhaps during his stint in Italy with his wife, he may have stumbled upon the ill-fated humor of a well known Italian author. “It is better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven.” The fifth of May is still represents freedom from the French whereas September 16 represents freedom from the Spanish. Well, perhaps not totally free since they still speak Spanish in lieu of Nahautl.

[@alexstrasser1]

Was Maximilian French??? Of course not.

[@markmoreno7295]

@@alexstrasser1 that is absolutely correct, he was not French.

[@Duquedecastro]

85-90% of Mexico has ancestry from Spain, speaking Nahuatl wouldn’t even be the case for most of the country, as Spanish is a native tongue to them and other Indigenous languages abounded outside of the Aztec/Mexica lands.

[@Duquedecastro]

Emperor Maximilian also created the black version of the ‘traje de charro’ to be used during formal evenings. This is what all mariachis wear to this day! (Among other colors now). The foods from the period also include pan/bread which became more French-like, as well as crema in dishes. Enchiladas Suizas are from one of his chefs. Even quinceañeras took the waltzes and court etiquette from this period in Mexican history! Not to mention banda, polkas, etc!

[@Duquedecastro]

@@markmoreno7295Neither was Marie Antoinette - who was both Maximilian and Carlota’s grand-aunt. She was Austrian like Max

[@andysheepleton]

"Whispers of Illegitimacy" with Napoleon no less. You do realize that there are "Whispers of illegitimacy" with about half of the Royal people ever born. That is not history. The Guy was 6'2", a full foot taller than the little general.

[@RommelsAsparagus]

We'll have to toast Maximilian on Cinco de Mayo. He paid for it. :D

[@slukky]

The Hoover free book link doesn't work.

[@Mark3ABE]

The Emperor Louis Napoleon was a ruthless adventurer. His strategy involved lending money to impoverished regimes and then, when they found that they could not repay the French loans, he insisted on taking charge of their government. He did this with Mexico, insisting that the Mexicans accepted his puppet, Maximilian of Austria, as their Emperor. However, Maximilian was forced to rely entirely upon a French garrison of about 50,000 troops to maintain his authority. When Louis Napoleon found that he required his troops elsewhere and they were withdrawn, Maximilian’s power evaporated. He took himself very seriously and had persuaded himself that he really was the Emperor of Mexico. When arrested by Juarez’s troops, he was, of course, offered safe custody back to Austria. Juarez was wise enough not to upset the Great Powers unnecessarily. However, Maximilian, stubborn to the last, refused the offer of safe custody unless his few remaining loyal supporters (Mexicans) were also given the same assurance of safe custody out of Mexico. When Juarez refused, Maximilian insisted on joining his companions in front of the firing squad. Meanwhile, his wife was frantically doing the rounds of the European Courts trying to drum up military support for her husband. She ended up in such a state that she took refuge with the Pope. She formed the view that there were Mexican agents out to poison her and insisted upon taking all of her meals with Pope Pius IX, who did not find her company so very disagreeable. After the Revolutions of 1848, Louis Napoleon adopted the same strategy with the States of the Church as he had with Mexico. He offered to restore the Pope to power by military force and sent a garrison of 50,000 troops, who succeeded in doing so. However, in return for his assistance, he insisted upon installing a French Governor-General and the Pope was only a puppet ruler from then on. When France began to face financial difficulties, the French Governor-General insisted upon the Roman Mint debasing the silver coinage. As the States of the Church were part of the Latin Monetary Union, its coins passed current throughout the Union. However, eventually, of course, when the debasement of the Roman coinage was discovered, The States of the Church were expelled from the Latin Monetary Union. Finally, in 1870, Louis Napoleon was obliged to withdraw the French garrison to fight the Prussians. Lazio and Rome soon fell to the army of the King of Italy and the Pope was finally deposed. After all of this (disastrous) interference you might imagine that Louis Napoleon might have been called to account. Instead, he took up residence in the Cafe Royal in Regent Street in London. In the main entrance lobby, his Imperial cypher is still there in mosaic on the floor. All of the hotel stationery there still carries the letter “N” and the Imperial cypher. His son volunteered to fight in the Boer War. His commanding officer was instructed to keep him out of danger, however, the Prince Imperial was as stubborn as his father and insisted upon joining in a battle and was killed.

[@helenwhite2066]

Prince imperial wasn’t killed in boer war,he was slain in a skirmish by zulus,during the Zulu war.

[@Mark3ABE]

@@helenwhite2066 Thank you - although I had already drifted rather away from the topic!

[@avicennitegh1377]

looks like corporate takeovers aren't new.

[@lesberkley3821]

Max lost power because the US decided they didn't want a foreign power in"their" hemisphere. They sent 50,000 men from the Army of the Cumberland, under General Philip Sheridan to the Mexican border, and the French Zouaves promptly got on ships and left. Max had a genuine love for the indigenous people of Mexico, and sought for them to have full rights.

[@Duquedecastro]

💯💯 Exactly!

[@rafaelmartinez2178]

@Lesberkeley-This affirmation is not true. When Maximilian was in throne, United States were struggling in their civil war.

[@Dawgcatcher2728]

His great-grandson lives in southern Arizona, close to the Border. He is a great guy in his seventies.

[@tushkafilms1061]

13:18 Napoleon III actually didn’t dump him. He attempted numerous times to get Maximillian and his wife to leave with the French many times.

[@markdavis7397]

It's Querétaro. The accent is on the second syllable.

[@davidcunningham2074]

well researched.

[@Duquedecastro]

Not entirely

[@castlerock58]

He faced his assassins bravely.

[@janetoler7938]

This is interesting because I didn't learned any of this in my World History class.

[@superdavid002]

Like Czar Nicholas , Max didn't get out of the country when he had a chance.

[@jackieking1522]

Thank you... a small hole in the nutty history of our planet filled in for me.

[@georgerady9706]

I’m smelling another Period Historic Drama series…

[@brentwelch1084]

Can you recommend a good movie about Maximilian?

[@user-by2dk9ns8s]

Juarez is a classic--starred Bette Davis as the Empress Carlotta and it shows the whole story--even Napolean and Eugenie' and their role in things. It also shows the aftermath with Empress Carlotta having a severe nervous breakdown--she had been allowed to leave Mexico and go to Paris and Rome to beg for support before her husband was captured. She never saw him alive again and as she was turned down and betrayed, she began to lose her mind. She was so deranged she even got to spend the night at the Vatican(something the Popes never really allowed) because they feared she might harm herself. She eventually was taken home to Vienna where she was basically put under psychiatric care. That is the only thing I question about this otherwise excellent video==my readings on the situation always stated Carlotta knew her husband died and that hastened the mental collapse but this one says she did not know. Maybe they did not let her go to his funeral but I remember it that the death was the final blow to her sanity.

[@Duquedecastro]

The Mad Empress is somewhat better in my opinion.

[@blackreazor]

"Unlike some expresses she knew"

[@12thDecember]

Intriguing chapter of history, thank you. Perhaps Sophie should not have indulged her "favorite son" with delusions of grandeur and superiority. On the other hand, who knows how his life might have turned out if he had been able to marry the true love of his life, Princess Maria Amelia.

[@francisebbecke2727]

A lot of pots called a lot of kettles dark in Mexico.

[@jamesl9371]

Austrian navy? Yeah one of history’s great navies

[@charlottecampbell8030]

Best narrator I love your voice ❤

[@helencheung2537]

I read somewhere that his last wish was to hear the song 'La Paloma'.

[@trevormiles5852]

same here. But maybe we heard it from the movie. Romanticized folklore. Being that she was " ill ", I am starting to doubt that. All though a poignant song.

[@lindakovar436]

My father was born in Sarajevo under Austria-Hungary. He said that it was forbidden to play that song out of respect for Carlota.

[@glenvalley4326]

Maximillian was spoiled by his mother.