Maximilian and Carlota left Europe full of hope and dreams the beloved rulers of a new Empire, Mexico. Maximilian eagerly studied everything to do with the culture, politics and national identity of Mexico. This was a daunting goal—to transform himself into a genuine Mexican Emperor when he had been raised on the carefree banks of the Danube listening to the waltzing strains of Strauss, eating chocolate tortes. Maximilian courageously applied himself—to this taking over Mexico in the name of France goal—with methodical German diligence. Arriving in his new Empire, dripping with aristocratic hauteur and earnestness, the fair-haired Maximilian, accompanied by his beautiful wife, Carlota, must have appeared like the next return of the fabled Quetzalcoatl bird to the blinding Golden Sunrise of the New World.

Upon arriving Maximilian and Carlota discovered the truth, the lack of support in actuality from France for their rule within the foreign dirt farming country, a foreign monarch backed by foreign armies ruling over a resentful population, Maximilian saw no way for them to escape quickly. Going back to Europe was out of the question for a man of honor. Perhaps with nothing much to lose, he hoped to charm the country into loving him. He doubled-down on his habitual European Royal ways—the lavish balls, splendid banquets and other regal events in his palace overlooking Mexico City, at Chapultepec Castle.

Meanwhile, back in France, Napoleon III was counting the mounting costs of this frivolous Mexican invasion. He had completely underestimated the costs of the occupation versus—how much gold are we talking about here? –and the intense resistance of the Mexican people, which was growing stronger by the day.