The Rest Is History 163. The Last Emperor of Mexico
17 snips
Mar 14, 2022 
Join Edward Shawcross, author of "The Last Emperor of Mexico," as he unravels the fascinating saga of Ferdinand Maximilian, who went from Habsburg archduke to Mexico's ill-fated ruler. Discover the chaotic political landscape of 19th-century Mexico, marked by foreign intervention and ideological struggles. Shawcross discusses the ambitious yet tragic efforts of Maximilian and Empress Carlotta to establish their empire amid resistance. Dive into the absurdities of his reign and the dramatic consequences that followed.
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Manet's Metaphor
- Edouard Manet's unfinished painting, The Execution of Emperor Maximilian, depicts the emperor's missing body.
- This symbolizes Maximilian's bizarre and ill-fated reign in Mexico.
A Latin American Gordon
- Maximilian's story resembles General Gordon's, marked by a sense of destiny and a tragic end.
- However, Maximilian's tale possesses a unique Latin American character.
Mexico's First Emperor
- Mexico's first emperor, Iturbide, crowned himself after Spain refused to provide a monarch.
- His reign lasted nine months before he was deposed, exiled, and later executed upon return.
