Empress Carlota of Mexico & The Habsburg Mexican Empire

Charlotte of Belgium was the beautiful and bright only daughter of the first King of Belgium. Her life looked to be joyous too, when she fell in love with a Hapsburg Archduke, Maximilian of Austria. The couple’s numerous royal connections even got them a incredible job opportunity, to become the rulers of the newly established Empire of Mexico. They crossed the Atlantic full of tropical, turquoise dreams of being hailed as heroes. But they quickly discovered that they were philosophically opposed to the small percentage of Mexicans who actually wanted them there. As the Empire crumbled, Carlota made a desperate return to Europe to beg for help. Only to be met with cold rejection, which ensured Maximilian’s demise and drove Carlota to the depths of mental illness. Let’s get to know Empress Carlota of Mexico and The Tragically Short Hapsburg Mexican Empire. Plus the History behind Cinco de Mayo

Check out the History Tea Time Podcast:

Music: Laid Back Guitars by Kevin MacLeod

[charliemagnebautista]

Love how you're one of the remaining history YouTubers who doesn't use those awful AI thumbnails

[sebastianescalante]

Mexican Here, while I have mixed opinions on the Franco-Austrian backed empire they sent our way. There's no denying Maximilian actually did care about México, in fact, many people do agree that had he lived, the many civil wars could have been at least partially avoided. Still, he was an invader from Austria backed by the French, and the French weren't exactly well regarded here.

He did NOT deserve to die though, everyone agrees there.

[Bitterblue]

It sounds like Carlotta and her husband were pawns in Europe’s game of colonization. Their story is one of personal tragedy for two people who were ready to deeply care for Mexico and its people. But, you can’t blame the Mexican people for hating foreigners that labeled themselves as their rulers. It’s one of those situations that shows history isn’t made of “good guys and bad guys.”

[PrincessDiana]

history is so subjective sometimes. hearing “the tragedy of a short lived empire” had my head spin because as a member of a country that was colonized, I see this from a completely different perspective. this is not a shot at this creator because I understand these videos for entertainment.

[cmrsnowflake]

"She's very intelligent, which is a bit annoying, but I suppose I'll get over it."
You sir, are the worst

[lx_azzl]

Empress Charlotte left an everlasting legacy in Mexico. My great-great-grandaunt Josefa Varela was her damsel and herself a much respected socialité in liberal Mexico. And there is even a dessert very popular in this country honouring the empress' name: Carlota, made from cookies, condensed milk and lemon.

[jamellfoster]

He shouldn't have been chasing tail when he had a beautiful, intelligent, devoted young wife. Granted Maximilian crushed big time on his cousin/sister in law, Sisi. He didn't have to treat Charlotte the way he did. Queen Victoria was trying to protect her young cousin.

[tonyjesus]

Many Mexicans nowadays see Max and Carlota more as tragic figures than enemies. Yes, they were imposed by foreigners, but they were deceived into believing most Mexicans wanted them, and they truly did love Mexico and wished to see it grow. Many of the schools and institutions they founded are still around, and they supported indigenous rights in a way no government has since. Had they remained in power, it is very likely Mexico would be a more developed nation, as the Juarez govt and the dictatorship that followed room us down the line of misery and rebellion. They attempted to outlaw debt peonage, and did what they could to redistribute land, two of the main demands of the later Mexican revolution. For better or for worse, they did their best.

[juliamartinshistory]

Carlota’s tale is both fascinating and a bit heartbreaking. It’s amazing how history is full of these epic stories of ambition and downfall. Makes you appreciate the quieter moments in life!

[jmmin]

Her niece, Stephanie had an almost similar fate. Her parents marriage was disastrous and she married Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. Rudolf was unfaithful and infected her with disease that made her infertile. And everything went downhill from there. At this point, we can say that the Austrian Hapsburg was a total mess

[sofiagirscher]

As a mexican girl, I dare to say most of us think highly of Maximilian and Carlota, they truly loved Mexico and we often talk about how Mexico´s future would've looked like if Maximilian had stayed as emperor. We understand how mexicans could've felt at the time due to all the foreign invasions and after being just freed from Spain but he did not deserve to die. If you visit his crypt in Vienna, you can see all the mexican flags and gifts mexicans have brought him. They both deserved so much better.

[fizzy_buzz]

My jaw dropped every time I heard another famous historical figure mentioned. It was like a crossover and I was unaware that Empress Sisi, Queen Victoria and the French Monarchy were related to Charlotte!

[Replicaate]

Carlota and Max basically got played by everyone - the Austrians, the French, the various factions of Mexican politics. They weren't exactly innocents, we are talking 19th century imperial adventures and all that entaiils here, but they didn't deserve the ends they met with...

[darianasosa]

As a Mexican, I'd never seen actual photographs of either Maximilian or Carlota before this video. Only their official portraits. I've had the opportunity of seeing those in real life. It was interesting to see that Maximilian was a really awful husband since before becoming emperor. There's a myth here that blond kids born in small towns are descendants of Maximilian, their ancestors born from his many infidelities. You forgot to mention they also refurbished Chapultepec Castle and you can still see their furniture, adjustments, carriages, clothes, decorations and portraits there.

[nope]

For those who are into historical fiction, legendary Mexican author Carlos Fuentes has a magical realist novel, Aura, that deals with Carlota and Maximilian. It’s absolutely fascinating!

[areiaaphrodite]

I always knew Empress Carlotta had a rather tragic life but it was still hard listening to this. She tried so hard to mske the best of her marriage and her life and didn't really deserve any of what happened to her.

[danielsantiagourtado]

Saw the title and was instantly hooked. You're the Queen of narration lindsay! Could hear you for hours on end and NEVER get tired❤❤❤❤❤❤

[Caligirllife]

As a Mexican American, I’m so glad you covered this story! I’ve never visited Mexico City, only Guanajuato where my parents are from. I’m hoping someday to visit the city so that see first hand El Castillo de Chapultepec. Also, would definitely love to visit Vienna!

[AleQueenofSpace]

I'm Mexican, and today I just learnt so so much about Carlota, things I didn't even imagine. I always knew her life was tragic but not THIS tragic... we have a legend here, that on ocasion, she'd escape her guards at Bouchout, board a rowboat by the moat and start rowing as she happily yelled she was going back to her beloved Mexico.
on a note, the "reason" given for the French/English/Spanish invasion was that President Benito Juarez of Mexico refused to continue the country's upstanding debt to all three empires, leading them all to send their armadas to the Mexican coasts of Veracruz in the gulf. after negotiation england and spain retired their forces but France decided to invade
also a video on the Castillo the Chapultepec and all the work she did there would be a really cool followup to this!

[hotcheetopapi]

My family is from Mexico originally, and my dad would love to give Mexican history lessons, and it's crazy how long ago these stories felt but she died in 1927, my great-grandma, who is still alive, would have been around 2-3 years old