IMPERIAL PROJECT: CONTEXT, ACTORS AND MAIN BENEFICIARIES - HISTORY - 2025

The Imperial Project of Mexico occurred in the 19th century and includes the two imperial governments that this nation passed through after the independence struggles. The First Empire was under the authority of Agustín de Iturbide and the Second Empire was led by the Austrian Archduke Fernando Maximiliano José de Habsburgo.

Iturbide was crowned in 1822, which started the First Imperial Project in Mexico. Iturbide's mandate culminated a few months later, in 1823. It was Antonio López de Santa Anna who organized the revolts that ended his mandate. The second period of imperial rule happened a few decades later: it began in 1863 and culminated in 1867.

Agustin de Iturbide

On this occasion, the project lasted a few months longer than the previous project under Maximilian of Habsburg. This emperor had the support of conservative groups in Mexico and the backing of the French Empire.

Context of the First Mexican Empire

Mexico, after being a colony of the Spanish Empire and achieving its independence, had to decide which model to adopt and decide what type of government would take the reins. To date, Mexico was devastated and weak.

The imperial plan was to establish a monarchical government and summon important figures from the Spanish Empire to rule in Mexico. In the absence of those summoned, Agustín de Iturbide was appointed to power.

Mexico suffered the consequences of wars. The population lacked land for agricultural production and the cost of food was high. Much of the national capital was taken by the Spanish, who fled to Europe after achieving independence.

The main source of income (mining) was stopped and the little capital in the country was used for bureaucratic purposes.

Iturbide was accused of not having qualities to govern, and the fact of being strongly influenced by the model of the Spanish Empire made him commit privations that became the cause of his dismissal and his exile.

Actors and beneficiaries of the First Imperial Project

There were characters in this period who were protagonists, either because of their participation both for and against.

Juan O'Donojú

Together with Agustín de Iturbide, Juan O'Donojú was one of the signatories of the Cordoba Treaty. This pair of characters requested the direct intervention of Fernando VII to take office.

Agustín de Iturbide

As the main beneficiary and leading actor is Agustín de Iturbide himself. Despite having requested the direct appointment of Fernando VII, he had to be crowned emperor.

During the development of his mandate he took actions that caused the displeasure of the people. Soon armed liberal groups began to gather to remove him from power.

These groups considered that the solution to the crisis that the country was suffering was to change the government model and establish a republican nation project.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

Although there were many people who did not agree with this type of government, there were concrete actions that contributed to its end. The dissolution of Congress and the imprisonment of important figures were some of these.

Antonio López de Santa Anna led the actions to end the empire of Agustín de Iturbide in 1823. The former emperor was then exiled, but when he returned, he was arrested and later shot.

Context of

In 1861 Benito Juárez was the president of Mexico. His work put at risk the interests of foreign countries of great power; When it ordered the suspension of the payment of the foreign debt, the foreign intervention did not wait.

As a consequence, the Mexican territory was occupied by European troops between the years 1862 and 1867. This act was agreed in the so-called London convention.

Eventually, both the British and Spanish troops decided to withdraw, but France remained in resistance to gain power.

Napoleon III invasion

Although there was room for negotiation, Napoleon III - the then Emperor of France - did not accept proposals or dialogues. Then, it led to a strong invasion of the French army on Mexican territory.

Among his plans, the French emperor wanted to expand his domains in alliance with other empires, and thus strengthen himself and then face his enemy: the German Empire. Having Mexico as an ally, without Juárez in charge, was a valuable opportunity.

Thus, the conservative party of Mexico decided to meet in Italy with Maximilian of Habsburg to offer him the throne. This character was later known as Maximiliano I, Emperor of Mexico.

The united forces of the French army and the Mexican conservatives seized power. In 1863 they organized in a meeting to ignore the Constitution of 1857, and later they determined that the new system of government would be monarchical and hereditary.

Maximilian I in power

They proposed for the position Maximiliano de Habsburgo, brother of the Emperor of Austria, Francisco José I. In 1864 the new emperor of Mexico settled in the castle of Chapultepec.

The nation he found was very different from the one he was promised; the country was ruined by numerous wars and political divisions. Maximilian tried to rule under the European models, typical of his strict family and religious training.

Main actors and beneficiaries

Benito Juarez

It was the president who decided not to recognize the country's foreign debt, which had been looted by the previous invaders. His overthrow by foreign forces - especially French - led the country to a new imperial project.

Maximilian I

Maximilian I was recommended by Napoleon III. He was established in 1864, and from then on he was the new emperor of Mexico. Not finding enough resources, he decided to strengthen his relationship with France, and continued with this dependence in the financial and military fields.

Empress Charlotte

Wife of Maximiliano I, she accompanied his social work by organizing large meetings of high society.

Mariano escobedo

Mariano Antonio Guadalupe Escobedo was the soldier who, commanding the republican army, managed to expel the invading French government.

By 1866, Napoleon III had withdrawn support for Maximilian I, vacating the French army from Mexican lands. This weakness was decisive in General Mariano Escobedo's strategy.

Withdrawal of French support

In 1866 Napoleon III withdrew his support for Maximilian I, vacating the French army from Mexican lands. Among other things, this was due to the cost to France.

They finally managed to corner Maximiliano I and the few remaining men, among them Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejía. They were forced to surrender and brought to trial by a court of war; he found them guilty and they were sentenced to death.

On June 19, 1867, Maximiliano I was shot along with his men in the Cerro de Campanas. Five years had passed since the intervention of the power of the French Empire in Mexican territory.

References

1. Mayer, E. (2012). Mexico after independence. Dr. E's Social Science E-zine. Recovered at: emayzine.com
2. Proyectos de nation, (2013) Recovered in: mexicoensusinicios.blogspot.com
3. Second Mexican Empire, (sf). EcuRed. Recovered in: ecured.cu
4. Second Mexican Empire, (sf). CCH academic portal. Recovered at: portalacademico.cch.unam.mx
5. Ramos Pérez, Demetrio and others. America in the 19th century. Madrid.