Maximilian I: The Austrian Dictator of Mexico

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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Morris M.
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

Other Biographics Videos:

Tiberius: The Reluctant Emperor

Robert Hanssen: The FBI Mole who Spied for the KGB

Source/Further reading:

Two Podcasts to start you with:

[Zeruel]

Actually Maximilian refused to abdicate and leave because he refused to abandon the soldiers who'd sworn to fight for him, if nothing else he meant well and tried to do well, wanting to help the poorest people of his new country, banning child labour and freed peasants from debts of over 10 pesos. The sad thing is that if he'd acted more like his brother Franz Joseph he might have lasted longer

[jcorbo]

Maximillian I of Mexico is one of my favorite "what-if"'s in history. He was both liberal but somehow balanced out by his Catholic and Imperialistic side. He could've been a great leader because of his ability to adapt, respond, and apply himself.

[Ivanmaradonaaa]

When people ask why I'm a 193cm tall, white and red haired Mexican I always tell them is because of the Austrians, my ancestor was a Austrian-Hungary soldier under Maximilian

[TheWazzoGames]

His poor wife suffered a mental breakdown after her husband's death and lived the rest of her life in seclusion. So sad.

[seananthonycamas]

Maximilian is without a doubt one of the most underrated historical figures in the history of North America

[Sakraida]

The more I learn about Maximillian the more tragic a historical figure he becomes. He honestly sounds like he wanted Mexico to prosper and had sympathetic and liberal ideas. His opponent lets not forget wasn't elected by popular vote either and was a dictator himself. Its a wonder if the Empire of Mexico would have avoided all the civil wars.

[karni]

fun fact: He is burried in Vienna alongside his family and to this day people from mexico pay their resepcts at his sarcophagus with postcards, flowers and other trinkets.

[TheOmegaCloud]

I mean... yeah you could call him a "Dictator" but even on Mexican text books he's called "Emperor" since that's his historic title.

[ethanramos]

“I forgive everyone, and I ask everyone to forgive me. May my blood which is about to be shed, be for the good of the country. Viva Mexico, viva la independecia!” Maximilian I of Mexico

[amb]

It's unfortunate -- Maximilian seems liked he was a decent guy, and tried to do the best for people under him.

[objective]

A tragic character, a ruler with good intentions but hated by everyone.

[NekoHyuga]

This reminds me of the time my teacher told us that Maximilian had made hundreds of portraits to be sent to Mexican families so they could be "part of the families". That's both incredibly endearing and delusional.

[profharveyherrera]

Ironically, an imposed foreign emperor turned out to be one of Mexico's best ruler. One of the biggest "what ifs" in Mexico's story.

[castillo]

Juarez: who are you
Maximilian: I am you but a Hapsburg

[patavinity]

It's completely inaccurate to describe him as a dictator. He was a monarch. It's not the same thing.

[daviddh]

Wow a tragic story. In my elementary school days, Maximilian was just depicted as an outsider, backed by the french and aristocrats who wanted to install a monarchy in Mexico. We were never told about his beliefs or his reformist ideas.
I loved this video :D

[gildardorivasvalles]

Carlota died almost 60 (sixty) years after her husband, not fifty (at least that's how what you said sounded like, Simon.) She never recovered her sanity, and died an old, crazy lady, completely oblivious to anything around her. All of this story is tragic for everyone involved. And kudos on pretty much nailing every bit of the history around these events -- you and your team certainly did your homework. Well, except no one in Mexico refers to him as dictator, but rather as Emperor Maximilian -- regardless of whether one approves of him or not. But overall, fantastic video, thank you.

Oh, and as for Maximilian's historical importance, for good or bad, he certainly had an impact at least to us Mexicans, whether you love him or hate him, or simply understand him as a man caught in the turmoil of his times.

[jesusaguilar]

This story always makes me really sad. He was a genuine great person that cared for Mexico and was willing to make it work along Juarez and also understood both parties main points. A bit sad we stuck with the 4’6 guy that ended up more thirsty of power than anyone could imagine.
Sorry for everything Maximilian I. Now we know that you cared.

[rogeliovaldez]

he was the emperor Mexico needed but not the one it deserved.

[micfatton]

What’s crazy is Benito Juarez is seen as one of the greatest liberal leaders of Mexico but when it came down to leave the presidency he refused to step down. Hypocrite! He’s actions led to Mexico’s longest lasting dictatorship and that in turn created the longest instability in Mexico’s history. 👏👏 thanks Juarez