Maximillan's Empire

Maximillan's Empire

Maximilian accepted the crown of Mexico on April 10, 1864, and on May 28 arrived in Veracruz with his wife, the Empress Carlota (Charlotte). They reached Mexico City on June 12.

President Juarez established his government in the city of Chihuahua on October 12, 1864.

February 26, 1865. Maximilian issued a decree upholding the laws of the Reform. President juarez moved his government to El Paso del Norte (today Ciudad Juarez), Chihuahua.

The Emperor of France , Napoleon III, withdrew his troops from Mexico on January 22, 1866.

August 11, 1866. Empress Carlota appealed to Napoleon III in Paris to honor the Convention of Miramar by which France had undertaken to keep Maximiliam on the throne of Mexico. The emperor refused.

December 18, 1866. The first French troops left Veracruz to sail back to Europe.

February 13, 1867. Maximilian left Mexico City for Queretaro where he concentrated the Mexican imperial troops. On March 11 the last French troops left Mexico.

General Porfirio Diaz took Puebla on April 2, 1867, defeating the imperial forces of Maximilian.

May 15, 1867. The generals Mariano Escobedo and Ramon Corona took the besieged city of Queretaro.

Maximilian, together with his generals Ramon Mendez, Tomis Mejia and Miguel Miramon surrendered.

June 19, 1867. Maximilian and generals Miramon and Mejia were shot on the Cerro de las Campanas outside Queretaro. Mendez had been shot the day after being taken prisoner.

on to: Benito Juarez and Lerdo de Tejada