The Crown of Mexico Author:Joan Haslip Maximilian and Carlotta's greatest dream of power became reality when the Emperor of France appointed them to rule over Mexico. As they boarded the ship that was to take them to the New World, the royal couple envisioned a future of loving subjects, fine palaces, and a reign of dazzling accomplishments. Instead they arrived to find a lukewarm ... more »welcome, shabby and uncomfortable residences, and an empire that refused to be governed. The crowns they had so ardently sought were to lead not to glory but to violent death and madness.« less
This is a very good discussion of the events leading up to installing Duke Maximillian on the "Throne" of Mexico, a very ill-fated endeavor, with all the reasons -- why it was done, why it was difficult, and why it failed.