Miramare Castle in northeast Italy, designed by Carl Junker for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who would later become the emperor of Mexico (very briefly).

After the Mexican civil war ended in 1861, the new president announced a moratorium on foreign debt repayments.

Mexico's primary creditors, France, Britain, and Spain, decided to invade and force them to repay their debts. The Brits and Spaniards withdrew in 1862, after learning that Napoleon III planned to conquer the entire country.

Maximilian was installed as puppet emperor by Napoleon III in 1864. He was an unpopular ruler from the beginning; he immediately isolated his natural support base of conservatives by implementing liberal policies.

In 1866, the French withdrew from Mexico, under pressure from the United States, leaving Maximilian's regime weak and isolated. However, he refused to abdicate.

In 1867, he was captured by republican rebels and executed by firing squad for treason, despite pleas for mercy from European monarchs.