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.

Maximilian last words were more noble than infamous

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.

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...

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.

His biggest mistake was trusting the french 😂😂😂

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

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.

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

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.

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!!

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.

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

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

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

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"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You do a great job.

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.

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.

Well done video.

That hat! at 15.47 - amazing paintings and visuals.

Yay, our fav narrator on this channel!

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

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

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)

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

Fascinating. Well done.

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.

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.

Well, I learned something new today. Nice video.

I love your videos!!

Did Max bring out a book called Spare?

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.

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.

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

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.

Royal intrigue is the biggest soap opera ever in history

A very good presentation.

Check out 1939’s film, Juarez.

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

He's why I named my female brown tabby Kelly Maximilian😺 EDIT: Goodness, my little comment grew into quite the chain! (Do I *dare* mention Lulu Napoleon and her sis, Cleo Alexander? )😼

Well said, Zutrue. Thank You.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

BEST narrator !!!

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

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.

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!!

Remember that Maximiliano was replaced by Porfirio Diaz in not that long a time. A monarch for a dictator...

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.😅

Very, very interesting.

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

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!"

well narrated.

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

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..

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.

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

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

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

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

You can still hear the Noble Emperor Maximillian. Pay attention every September 15th, and his words “ Viva Mexico” can be heard with vigor throughout the country.

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

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.

NGL as a mexican i wish he stayed alive

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

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

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

Where's the narrator's accent from? It's really nice in the ears

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

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?

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.....

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

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.

Once a year in the local rodeo parade, the denizens of Tucson pull out Maximillian's carriage and ride in it, waving to people.

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

I’m smelling another Period Historic Drama series…

"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.

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

"Unlike some expresses she knew"

Can you recommend a good movie about Maximilian?

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.

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

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.

We toured mexico city about ten years ago Our tour guide said Mexico city became very sosphisticated and cultured under maximillian and has gone downhill ever since

Best narrator I love your voice ❤

The Hoover free book link doesn't work.

I always love a good UNBIASED story;

So, Maximilian was Sophie's Choice?