Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian
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Maximilian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian
Three years earlier, in 1864, the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian was made emperor of Mexico by Napoleon III, because of French interests in the country. He was dependent on the occupying French Army, and when Napoleon withdrew his troops, Maximilian was captured by Mexican forces loyal to their government. He and his generals, Mejía and Miramón, were executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867.  In 1864, the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian was made emperor of Mexico by Napoleon III, because of French interests in the country. But he was dependent on the occupying French Army, and when Napoleon withdrew his troops, Maximilian was captured by Mexican forces loyal to their government. He and his generals, Mejía and Miramón, were executed by firing squad on June 19, 1867.