"The Mexican Campaign, 1862-1867" Topic

"This timeline forms part of our close-up on: the Mexican campaign, 1862-1867.

6 July 1832: Ferdinand Maximilian, second son of Archduke Franz Karl and Princess Sophie of Bavaria, was born in Schönbrunn, Austria. Sophie was known to have been close to the Duke of Reichstadt, son of Napoleon I, and it was rumoured that Maximilian was actually the son of the duke, and not of Franz Karl.

1838 – 1839: The Franco-Mexican War, known as the Pastry War, came about because of long-standing Mexican debt and also because French citizens (and a well-known pastry chef to the presidency, hence the sobriquet) in Mexico had their businesses damaged or destroyed during a period of political instability. The Mexican government refused to compensate them for the damages. In 1837, ships under the command of rear-admiral Botherel de Labretonničre demonstrated of the coast of Veracruz, and in March 1838 a naval division – comprising six ships – arrived of the coast of Veracruz. A blockade of Veracruz and Tampico was announced. On 27 November 1838, Veracruz was bombarded. On 28 November, a convention was signed and the French flag was raised in the Veracruz garrison, with one thousand French troops authorised to be stationed there. On 30 November, the Mexican president declared war on France, and Mexican troops under General Antonio López de Santa Anna reoccupied Veracruz. On 5 December, French troops attacked the city, and captured it back, bringing an end to the war. The peace treaty was signed on 10 March 1839, which saw Mexico agree to repay France 600,000 pesos: instead of war indemnities, France received future trade commitments…"
Full article here.
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Hope you enjoy!.

Amicalement
Armand

I did not know that Napoleon's son, who was about 20 and sick with TB at the time of conception was the father of Maximilian.

Thank you, Armand. That was very interesting and informative, I knew nothing of this.

Happy you enjoyed it boys! (smile).

Amicalement
Armand

There is a book called "herzog von Reichsstadt" wich covers the this therory and also the theory that he was murdered by the camarilla.

Another book called " das neue leben des kaisers" covers the well documented theory that maximilian survived mexico and had a new live in south america and a catering service.