Viva El Emperador ! An alternate TL of Mexico

What do you think ?

  • It is good, keep on !

    Votes: 33 84.6%
  • It's okay...

    Votes: 3 7.7%
  • Should change the focus back to "Leão do Norte".

    Votes: 1 2.6%
  • You should quit both !

    Votes: 2 5.1%

  • Total voters
    39
I asked...part of me feels like I hijacked it to the civil war discussion. That being said I wanted to see how the Monroe Doctrine would play out (or explain why the USA doesn't intervene) given a different map's impact on the war. That's hopefully wrapped up now.
 
5 - The Restoration "War"
While the American Civil war was in it's last phase, in Mexico, The Conservatives, French, and Monarchists declared the Second Mexican Empire but much of the country opposed it, especially in the North and West. But Carlos' opposition was extremely diversified and was only united because of one man: Benito Juarez.

The plan was set in motion, as the Liberal leader was going North in a train, an explosion was set in the bridge ahead and the train didn't stop on time. Benito Juarez was assassinated, and the Republican forces fell to infighting between Army commanders and political leaders. And with the USA at war, the support was cut dry.

Emperor Carlos Luis I created the "Mexican Imperial Army" an army of about 60,000 soldiers that were recruited to take control of the North of the country. Guadalajara was taken 4 days after Juarez's death in 18 of October of 1863. Due to the infighting and collapse of the Republicans, the support of the Church in rural areas, and the loyalty of the Central American states, and of the Natives, the Imperial forces took control of the entire country by May 1864.

This "War" caused the deaths of little less than 4,000 Imperials and French in 3 years of war, mostly against guerrillas. But just because organized rebellion was over, that didn't mean the people was with the Emperor, he still had a lot to do.
 
6 - The foundations of a Crown
In the 10th of May of 1864, the Monarchists secured control over Mexico. Before anything else, a delegation was sent to the north to look for peace and recognition from the US government.

Breckinridge was angry at that gigantic violation of the Monroe Doctrine right south of the Border. But the last month he just finished a war that destroyed the richest and most populous area of the country, there wasn't much to do since the opposition of Carlos was fighting eachother. The US government recognized the Mexican Emperor to return to the normal trade, Carlos would keep his skin... for now.

At home, he prepared to Organize the Politics, splitting the Mexican Administration, setting up Governors in each province and the Autonomy for the "Viceroyalty of Salvador" to decide their own province borders and allowing them to keep their parliament. Every governor got the visit from a Imperial agent every month to make sure he was doing his job and to arrest him immediately if he is involved in corruption.

In the political scene, under the influence of the Conservatives, Carlos signed a Constitution for the state.

Mexican Imperial Constitution of 1864
1: The Mexican Empire is a Semi-Constitutional Monarchy under Emperor Carlos Luíz I von Hapsburg and his lineage; By the moment of his death the eldest male son, called "Prince Imperial", shall inherit the Title of "Emperor of Mexico"; If the heir is under the age of 18 by the time of the Emperor's death, then a regency council shall act in his name;

1a: The Regency council shall be headed by a triumvirate of men chosen by either the Emperor himself or the Parliament. These men have to be at least 30 years old and have previous experience in 3 areas: Politics, Economics, and Military;

1b: If the "Prince Imperial" is a woman, then the throne will pass to the eldest male relative. If there is no male relative in the bloodline, the "Princess Imperial" shall become "Empress of Mexico" by receiving his father's title.

2: The Monarch is head of State and Government, being capable of: Dissolving the Parliament and calling new elections, Make War and Peace, Represent the Empire in diplomatic missions, Issue Imperial Decrees, expell a Parliamentarian and/or ban a party if is either: Under criminal investigation or a threat to the Monarchy and the Nation, the Emperor can also veto laws, appoint the supreme judges, of the court, declare martial law, and amend the Constitution.

2a: The Monarch is also Supreme Commander of the Armed forces, capable of: Giving orders to the Imperial Army, appoint Generals, and request an Intervention.

3: The Parliament of the Mexican Empire is a bicameral body of the legislative, split between the Chamber of Nobles and Chamber of the Deputies. To be a member of the Parliament, the candidate will have to be either elected by a majority of his county or appointed by the Emperor. The candidate has to be a male of the minimum age of 25 and have previous political experience;

3a: The Chamber of Nobles is composed of 100 men of a minimum age of 35, to be in the Chamber of Nobles, one has to be appointed by the Emperor and hold a title bestowed by the Emperor. The Chamber of Nobles is presided by the Chamberlain, he is elected by those in the Chamber itself, the mandate of a Noble is for all remandier of his life or until the Emperor dissolves the Parliament.

3b: The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 400 men of a minimum age of 25, to be in the Chamber of Nobles, one has to be either appointed by the Emperor or be elected by a Majority of his local county. The Chamber of Deputies is presided by a Prime Minister chosen amongst the Deputies for 4 years, the Mandate of a Deputy is 4 years or until the Emperor dissolves the parliament.

3c: It is the duty of the Parliament to run the daily affairs of the state, including but not limited to: Determine the tax levels, create and abolish laws, approve or reject treaties etcetera.

3d: The Chamber of deputies shall be elected by male citizens of at least 25 years that fulfill a minimum quota of money received every year, to be set by the Chamber itself.

4: The Supreme Court of Mexico shall be represented by 5 judges selected by the Emperor, these judges must have previous competence and experience as Judges, their decisions on how to interpret the Penal Code, the Civil Code, the Constitution and other documents shall be put in effect over all the Mexican Territory. The Emperor is the only one above the laws of the Court, being capable of overruling Cases and setting new National standards.

4a: The Monarch is also capable of giving a pardon to criminals that confess their crimes.

5: The Catholic Church is the church of state, it is required to be an active member of the church to hold a political position. Freedom of cult is allowed inside homes. Members of the Catholic Church from the rank of Bishop to above are allowed to be appointed to a seat in the two houses of the Parliament.

This is only the most important amendments of the Constitution, but in General it was a Conservative and very Autocratic Constitution, the Conservatives hoped that they would Manipulate and control the Emperor, they were wrong.
 
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I believe this last chapter was very rich in details, what do you want to see next ? Napoleon's relationship with Mexico ? The first steps of Mexico ? The Northern Reconstruction ?
 
7 - The First years of the reign of Carlos Luiz I
In 1864: In the first year of his reign, Carlos made his first act to create the "Gerdameria Emperial" the military police of Mexico, it was established to keep order, mostly on the countryside. The first elections were made and the results were overwhelming Conservative victories with the number of Liberals in the Chamber of Nobles being counted on fingers. The new government also instituted a small "land reform" by seizing the lands of the Republicans and instead distributing it to the middle class and small farmers. Mexico also used the destruction of the USA and the Reconstruction to attract thousands of immigrants that were deluded by the USA.

In 1865: Gold was discovered in California after the government started to finally settle it. The result was a massive migration of Mexicans and an influx of foreign Immigrants, including some Yankee refugees from the Reconstruction. The golden rush started to finally grow cities in California and the North of Mexico was getting settled, but that also caused conflict with the natives. The Emperor started to slowly drift away from French influence, the Gold was used to expand the Imperial Army to 100,000 men to reduce his reliance of French troops. While the Emperor started to speak only Spanish in his speeches, many titles were created and distributed to the Aristocratic Creolles. Using the money of California, the Emperor started bringing the first industries to Mexico, starting simple with basic goods. But most the industrial investiment went to railroads, planning to expand from the 1,000 miles to over 10,000 by the end of the decade.

In 1866: Economic prosperity was rising in Mexico, the Emperor continued to split the Mexican people: While he was a foreign puppet, Mexico was growing under his rule. But majority were just relieved that that the civil war and chaos were finally behind, especially foreign investors from France that started to see Mexico as a whole new world of opportunity to get money, the influx of foreign capital, the economical growth, the railroad boom, and Immigrant wave brought an new era for Mexico. French troops start to leave Mexico due to the Germanic War.

In 1867: The government started focusing on improving the health and literacy of the people, recruiting foreign doctors and tutors and sending them over all the country, while doing vaccination campaigns in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Veracruz, San Salvador, and most of the major cities of Mexico.

In 1868: Mexico started making bilateral trade deals with the USA, the idea was reduce the dependence from France by getting an alternative investor. Carlos Luíz also facilitated the investiments from British companies also to reduce dependence from the French.

In 1869: It was a mostly quiet year, the first Imperial census was made and a question was asked "What do you think about Emperor Carlos Luíz I ?" The answers showed that 40% of the population was either Neutral or didn't care, 35% was Positive, and 25% was Negative.

In 1870: With the war in Europe, Carlos uses the opportunity to push the French for better terms, reducing the French influence in Mexico considerably and pursuing an more Autonomic policy.
 
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8 - The Reconstruction
America just left the most destructive war in the history of the continent, President Breckinridge successfully prevented the dissolution of the Union and he used his immense political power to approve the 13th amendment of the US constitution: Slavery was guaranteed by law and the status of the Negroe as propriety was enforced, fugitive slaves went to Canada or Mexico and many others were reinstated as slaves of their old owners. Kansas and all the Western states allowed slavery and all free states were obliged to return their slaves and crackdown on abolitionist movements.

The Abolitionists counter attacked one night in 18 of July of 1864, in the ford theater, a member of the "Freedom Warrior" movement called Joseph Francis Smith, a famous actor, sneaked behind President and shot him, but he missed by an inch and President Breckinridge grabbed a cane and started beating him, before his security could stop him, Breckinridge threw the assassin from the Balcony into the crowd that thought it was part of the show. Joseph survived miraculously and was arrested for attempted murder.

Breckinridge gained public sympathy, and the fact he didn't allow the rebel states to vote, made him get a 3rd term as president. His policy became more hardline as he wanted to punish the north for the war and his almost assassination. The Northern states didn't recieve federal funding for reconstruction and were left to rebuild themselves. The Northern states were put on martial law and the Military took control, cracking down on remnants of the Yankee Army and rebuilding the local organizations, disenfranchisement happened thanks to a manipulated Gerrymandering and the people of the north were not happy at all...

Especially the people of New York, the government abandoned them, their city was destroyed, hunger and diseases were common, people were unemployed and the government did nothing but worsen it for what their leaders did, the result was the perfect situation for a revolt.

In 1st of May of 1866, inspired by Marxist teachings, the people of New York rebelled with help of the local guards they expelled a local army garrison. They declared the "Commune of Manhattan" as a free and egalitarian utopia, except that it failed miserably when the army arrived and ended the riot that lasted an entire month.

This attracted Breckinridge's attention to the situation in the north, he decided to allow federal funds for the reconstruction, but he also sent the people to go in a "reeducation" procedure to get rid of separatist and leftist ideas. It seemed like the Northern states lost the right to the constitution.

The Reconstruction would still last a decade to end, Breckinridge would win another term but then would not run again and the 1872 elections selected General Grant to presidency, his more moderate views would calm the tensions of north and south. But the North would never be fully reintegrated into the Union.
 
9 - The Californian boom
During the first years of Carlos' reign, the Emperor decided to end the rounds of mistakes of the previous governments that caused the treaty of Guadeloupe-Hidalgo in the first place: Allow Yankees to settle the California for them.

Rumors that California could have a large gold reserve and the necessity of colonizing the North, influenced the Emperor to start sending geologists to survey the area. In the North of California, the Americans discovered Gold some years earlier and Mexico hoped those weren't the only reservations. And they were right, near San Francisco there was a massive gold vein that covered much of east California.

The discovery of Gold was a wake up call for Mexicans that wanted an easy way to get rich, thousands of Mexicans went to the North. Adding the harsh American Reconstruction, immigrants that would otherwise go North were now arriving at the Port of Veracruz at the thousands. In half a decade, 400,000 Mexicans, Europeans, Yankee refugees and even a few Asians migrated to California.

Even if the gold quickly ran out, the Californians found new activities. Trade flourished and Cities began to grow, 3 cities in special: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

San Francisco grew to become the main port of the North, a meltpot for the many cultures that came during the golden rush. Los Angeles enjoyed the position between San Francisco and Mexican city, growing to become the regional trade hub. Las Vegas became a paradise for Fun in the middle of the desert, right in the American border, the junction of California, the Colorado river, and America was attractive for Yankees and Mexicans that created a paradise for Cassinos and Hedonism.

By 1870, California was prospering like nowhere else in the World. Railroads, industry, immigrants and trade flourished in the north of the Empire. Contrasting with what was happening in Europe...
 
10 - The Great German War
In 1861, The Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV appointed Otto von Bismarck as chancellor, his proposal was a unification of Germany under the rule of Berlin, excluding Austria from the Unification. The Prussian doctrine of "Blood and Iron" was demonstrated: The Prussian Army was expanded to half million men, drilled and disciplined to be the best soldiers of Europe, the von moltke reforms were fully Implemented and the General staff ran wargames.

In 1866, Prussia and Austria defeated Denmark for the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein. After that, Bismarck conflicted with the Austrians, turning the states of Northern Germany against Vienna. A war had begun to decide the fate of Germany, the Prussians allied with Italy to attack Austria. After the battle of Sadowa, France intervened on the behalf of the Austrian Empire, arguing for sake of Balance of Power of Europe.

In the 4th of July, French troops mobilized for War, an ultimatum was sent to Italy: Leave the war or the French Troops shall March to Milan. Knowing a two-front war would be Italy's downfall, Vittorio Emmanuele II called for a peace with Austria, Austria would give autonomy to the Territory of Venetia that would be co-ruled by they Austrian Emperor and the Italian King.

In 21th of July, when Austria was in the brink of defeat, 300,000 French troops invaded the saar. Forcing the Prussian army to send most their forces to stop the French offensive, saving the Austrian Army from total destruction. French forces used superior rifles against superior doctrines, fighting the Prussians in the battles of Mainz and Bonn. The French victories, the division of Prussian forces, and the peace without Italy allowed the Austrians to focus their army in retaking Bohemia. In 2 months, the Prussians were back to Silesia.

That wasn't going according to the plan, Bismarck tried to enter a peace treaty with the two nations, but their demands were far too harsh: Austria wanted Prussia to surrender their influence over north Germany and the West territories. Giving independence to several duchies in the Rhineland. France demanded Prussia to surrender their control of all territories in the left of the Rhine, and to demilitarize. Bismarck refused and the war raged on.

France lost their momentum in the West, being incapable of crossing the Rhine river. Prussia stopped the Austrian advance into Silesia and pushed them out of Leipzig. By 1867 the war was in a stalemate.

Bismarck knew that Prussia would not survive an attrition war, he negotiated a moderate peace: France could have the Control of the Saar and Moselle land, Prussia would also retreat from the treaty of London of 1839. Prussia recognized the Austrian supremacy over the states of south Germany and paid a heavy war indemnity. But in return, both nations would recognize the Prussian supremacy over Northern Germany, the German Confederation would be split between the North and South Confederations. One led by Berlin and other by Vienna. As payment of the French Intervention, Austria demanded Bavaria to give up their part of the Palatinate to the French Moselle.

Bismarck's plan had failed.
 
11 - Mexican Politics
Before the restoration, Mexico was divided between the Conservative and Liberal parties dominated the Politics. But in the restoration, Liberals were purged and the Conservatives became the dominant elite. When the Constitution of 1864 was signed, the Emperor started the first elections. Due to disenfranchisement and Frauds, the Liberal party was almost extinguished.
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4 factions were formed:

(The purple one) Facción Imperial: Called as the "His Imperial Majesty's *Lamebotas*" were a group of Reactionary Monarchists that wanted a real Absolutism and defended the Emperor and whatever he supported.

(The blue one) Partido Conservador: The Good ol' right-wingers, supporters of the Monarchy, Church, and Fatherland.

(The green one) Unión Moderada: Where people in the fence sit, mostly Liberals in disguise that accepted many Conservative doctrines.

(The yellow one) Partido Liberal: The remnants of the old Liberal Party, allowed as a controled opposition to attract Republicans, Anti-clericals and other crazy dudes.

The Senate didn't have a single Liberal, they were split with 30 Imperial, 60 Conservatives, and 10 Moderates. Since they were elected for life, that house would have very few changes for the next decades.

The first atitudes of the Conservative government was to repeal all the anti-church laws of 1857, the reduction of taxes for high class and reduction of tariffs to attract foreign investments. They wouldn't do much during their governments, because they were... Conservatives.
 
I won't abandon it, what I want is to know what you guys want. What should I write about next ?
Mmm well, Mexico allying more and more with France and distancing itself from Austria-Hungary maybe? Maximilian was way more liberal and reformist than the average Austrian nobles.
 
Timeline of 1870-1875
1870: The Mexican elections end with another Conservative victory, but with Liberal gains, the North continues to grow, With the independence from France, Emperor Carlos Luís starts to become more closely aligned with the Austrian Empire and the South German Federation, reducing tariffs to Germanic goods.

1871: A rebellion of Germans is crushed in the Moselle, France buys Luxemburg from the Netherlands.

1872: The North German Federation Continues to militarize, Bismarck outmaneuver the Dutch and annex Limburg. Gold reserves start to run low

1873: Napoleon III dies, Napoleon IV is crowned as Emperor of the French. The North German Federation allies Italy and Russia as the "Alliance of the 3 Crowns". Carlos Luís goes to Napoleon's funeral.

1874: Liberals gain more seats in Mexico, the first socialist party is founded in Mexico, California starts to develop a separate identity from the rest of the Country. The Emperor suffers an assassination attempt from a Republican radical, anti-Republican propaganda starts to be spread over the country and efforts are made to indoctrinate the schools in favor of Conservatism and Monarchism.

1875: The States of California, Arizona and New Mexico gain the status of Virreinato, becoming the Viceroyalty of California, Yucatán and Chiapas are integrated into the Viceroyalty of Salvador. The French Empire, The South German Federation, and the Austrian Empire, become the "Triple Entente" as a counter-Balance to the Triple Alliance.
 
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