Who was Maximilian I of Mexico?
Q: Who was Maximilian I of Mexico?
A: Maximilian I of Mexico (1832 – 1867) was a member of the Imperial House of Habsburg-Lorraine and Emperor of Mexico during the Second Mexican Empire.
Q: What was Maximilian's relationship to Napoleon II?
A: Many Europeans, and Viennese in particular, suspected that he was actually fathered by Napoleon II of France. There was a close relationship between Sophie and Napoleon II. It was said that Sophie never recovered after his death and that she blamed it on Metternich for the rest of her life.
Q: What were some reforms implemented by Maximilian as Emperor?
A: As Emperor, Maximilian restricted working hours and abolished child labour, cancelled all debts for peasants over 10 pesos, restored communal property and forbade all forms of corporal punishment. He also supported land reforms, religious freedom, and extending the right to vote beyond the landholding class.
Q: How did Empress Carlota help raise money for poor houses?
A: Empress Carlota held parties for wealthy Mexicans to raise money for poor houses.
Q: What caused opposition from wealthy landowners towards Maximilian's rule?
A: The liberal policies implemented by Maximilian caused opposition from the wealthy landowners led by Benito Juárez under the banner of republicanism.
Q: How did Maximilian's rule end?
A: Maximilian was captured by Benito Juarez’s Republican forces and executed by firing squad on 19 June 1867.
