Tag Archives: France

The Brief and Tragic Reign of Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico. (Part One)

Carlota, Empress of Mexico
Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico
Schoenbrunn, Hapsburg palace, Vienna and Maximillian’s boyhood home
Maximillian and Charlotte, newlyweds
Franz Josef, 1865
Miramare, Trieste
The Novara
Maximillian as Emperor
Benito Juarez

Like something out of a fairy tale, in 1864, a European power installed an Austrian nobleman as Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico, ultimately resulting in tragedy, madness and execution.

This episode unravels the ambitious plot by Napoleon III to install a European monarch in the New World, and the tragic consequences that followed. From Habsburg royalty to Mexican ruler, Maximilian’s journey is filled with political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal struggles. Learn how this idealistic prince found himself caught between European imperialism and Mexican nationalism, ultimately leading to his downfall. Perfect for history buffs and fans of untold stories, this bite-sized biography brings to life a chapter of history often overlooked in textbooks. Dive into the world of 19th-century politics, royal ambitions, and the clash of empires.

The Brief and Tragic Reign of Maximillian I, Emperor of Mexico: Book and Music Information

The books used in this podcast included:

“The Last Emperor of Mexico,” by Edward Shawcross, and

“Maximillian and Carlota: Europe’s Last Empire in Mexico,” by M. M. McAllen

The music in both intros was: “Funeral in Sinaloa,” by Jimena Contreras

The music in the outros was: “Outlaw’s Farewell (Part 1),” by Reed Mathis