The Crown of Mexico: Maximilian and His Empress Carlota

by Joan Haslip and Joseph Haslip

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0030865727
• ISBN13: 9780030865725
• Release Date: June 1971
• Publisher: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
• Length: 531 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.8" x 2.1" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

The ill fated monarchy of Mexico.

Maximillian and Charlotte, what a strange couple. They were selected to rule over a country undergoing a civil war. Not only that, but three European countries tried to intervene, and one was trying to make a colony of Mexico. What an interesting story. Maximillian was a daydreamer and idealist who wasn't suited to rule. His wife was a nervous power seeker who wanted the title of Empress. Juarez was an idealist also, and wanted to disabuse Europeans of any notions of setting up a satrap of Mexico. The result is Charlotte fled to Europe and Maximillian went with his army to their doom. This is a easy read of 400 + pages. It explains a lot of European and Mexican politics in the middle of the 1800s. Most people have heard of Maximillian, but not the entire story as presented here in this book by Joan Haslip.

A riveting, informative account of a failed empire

When we think of the history Mexico, we generally think of the Aztec Empire and its demise and then we jump to the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Very few people know that Mexico was twice a Monarchy.Frst under Agustin de Iturbide, Emperor of the Mexicans, (1822-23) and then under the rule of Maximillian and Charlotte (1864-67). This book offers a detailed insight of Maximillian's and Charlotte's plight, and all the intrigues behind the Mexican Crown: the secret intentions of the Catholic Church; the political plans of the Mexican aristocracy; Napoleon III's greedy ambitions and many more, including the uncooperating Mexican military and Benito Juarez who dislikes the monarchy. The unanimous support of the European Monarchs towards this staggering undertake,and their sudden change of heart marks the beginning of a arduous, short lived reign. Maximillian and Charlotte were doomed from the begining. Franz Joseph, jealous of his brother magnetism, entices him to accept a crown at the other side of the world. Napoleon III coveting the silver mines in Sonora, sponsors the Mexican monarchy. Maximillian, a dreamer, wants to make an ideal empire and spread European culture throughout Mexico. Charlotte firmly believes that they have been chosen by a divine mandate to rule a great empire. Written with exceptional detail and an engaging style, this book is an excellent account of the events that happened in Mexico during the 1860's during the years of the unfortunate reign of Maximillian. A must-read! P.S. As a boy, we visited the Palace of Chapultepec, the residence of the unfortunate monarchs. The gilded carriages are still there. Gowns worn by the empress are still in display, as well as many fantastic military uniforms worn by Maximillian and many of his officers. Crystal chandeliers hang from the center of every room and there are priceless portraits and tapestries hanging from almost every wall. I could only imagine the splendor when it was all new. From the palace, built on a hill of the same name, the view of Mexico City is amazing. Below the hill, the gardens of Xochimilco are still blooming just as they were in the times of Maximillian.

Last Tango of the Habsburg-Bonapartes

Haslip's "Crown of Mexico" tells the story of the last major European war of conquest in the Americas, namely, Napoleon III's outrageous scheme to sponsor a royalist coup in Mexico during the 1860s. As the United States was distracted by civil war, the French government seized the chance to gain an imperial toe-hold in Mexico, installing a lesser son of the House of Hapbsburg - Archduke Fedinand of Austria - as Emperor, backed by a French army. Maximilian and his brave Belgian wife, Carlotta, only barely kept their newly-minted throne for a few months before they were ejected by yet another revolution under the populist leader Juarez. Like Charles I of England before him, Maximilian compensated for bad government by bravely submitting to his fate at the hands of the executioners. One of the interesting facets of Maximilian's life is that his mother was very close to Napoleon II (i.e. Bonaparte's son by Marie-Louise) - and some say that Maximilian himself was a (...) son of Napoleon II, making him a great grand-son of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Haslip negotiates the countours of this strange story very well indeed.

One of history's great tragedies.

I am sorry that this book is out of print, because the story of Maximilian and Carlota is one of history's great tragedies. Haslip obviously sympathizes with the imperial couple, especially Maximilian, who was too idealistic to be a good ruler and too trustful for his own good. Anyone with any sense would have realized that Napoleon III was not to be trusted; that most Mexicans supported Juarez and those that didn't just wanted to get their lands back; and that the United States would not have allowed a monarchy in Mexico. Haslip also shows that Carlota's madness did not happen all of a sudden but it was the result of years of disappointment and Carlota's own suspicious nature. Haslip ends her narrative with Maximilian's funeral in 1867, thus leaving out almost six decades of Carlota's half-life in Belgium.

Easy to read, informative and entertaining

When we think of the history Mexico, we generally think of the Aztec Empire and its demise and then we jump to the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Very few people know that Mexico was once a Monarchy. This book offers a detailed insight of Maximillian's and Charlotte's plight, and all the intrigues behind the Mexican Crown: the secret intentions of the Catholic Church; the political plans of the Mexican aristocracy; Napoleon III's greedy ambitions and many more. The unanimous support of the European Monarchs towards this staggering undertake, to make an European Monarchy out of Mexico and their sudden change of heart marks the beginning of a tragic conclusion. Written with exceptional detail and an engaging style, I think this book is an excellent account of the events that happened in Mexico during the 1860's. A must-read!