** boys clothing: Latin American royalty -- Latin America









Latin American Royalty


Figure 1.--.

The major pre-Colombian civilizations had royal dynasties and historians have developed some information on them. The best known civilizations were the Aztecs in Mexico and the Inca in Peru. A good deal is known about both Montezuma and Altalapa who were in power at the time of the Conquest of Mexico and Peru. There were also two short-lived monarchies during the 19th century. Most of the Latin American countries after their wars of independences established republics. Europe at the time was dominated by monarchies and it was far from clear that republics were a practical way of governing. Two monarchies were established in Latin America during the19th century. The Brazil monarchy (Pedro I and II) was a domestic one. Santa Anta in Mexico wanted to set up a kingdom, but was unable to do so. France imposed a monarchy (Maximillian) on Mexico. Maximillian was a Austrian royal, but robavly father by Napoleon II which in part explains why Napolen chose him. His reign proved short lived. After Napoleon withdrew French support, he was executed by a Mexican firing squad.

Native American Monarchies

The major pre-Colombian civilizations had royal dynasties and historians have developed some information on them. The best known civilizations were the Aztecs in Mexico and the Inca in Peru. A good deal is known about both Montezuma and Altalapa who were in power at the time of the Conquest of Mexico and Peru. The history of these monarchies is one that we have not yet been able to persue. We would be very interested in any work that reades may have done.

Independent Monarchies

There were also two short-lived monarchies during the 19th century. Latin America in the 18th century was dominated by Portugal and Spain. As a result of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, both of these countries were weakened. As a result, the ability of both countris to control their colonies was significantly impaired. The result was a series of wars or independence in South and Central America. Most of the Latin American countries after their wars of independences established republics. Europe at the time, however, was dominated by monarchies and it was far from clear that republics were a practical way of governing. One of the great strength of monarchies (where the eldest son is the usually the sucessor) is that the sucession is constitunionally asured. Two monarchies were established in Latin America during the 19th century. The Brazil monarchy (Pedro I and II) was a domestic one. Santa Anta in Mexico wanted to set up a kingdom, but was unable to do so. France imposed a monarchy (Maximillian) on Mexico. Maximillian was a Austrian royal, but probably fathered by Napoleon II which in part explains why Napolen III chose him. His reign proved short lived. After Napoleon withdrew French support, he was executed by a Mexican firing squad.

Brazil

Brazil became independent somewhat later than neighboring countries and had one of the few Latin American monarchies. Portugal for a time was Britain's only ally on the continent. This made the country a target for the French. The British landed a small army comanded by Wellington, but it was not large enough to resist a French inbvasion forcehand had to be withdrawn. The French moved on Lisbon. The Prince Regent departed seeking refuge in Brazil (1807). Dom Joao established Rio de Jneinro as the temporary capital of the Portuguese Empire. Napoleon's defeat in Russia (1812) fatally weakened France and the French had to withdraw from Iberia (1814). Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo (1815). Dom Joao did not return to Portugal, however, until several years later (1821). Dom Joao left his son Dom Pedro in charge of Brazil when he returned to Portugal (1821). Dom Joao attempted to resume the traditional system of colonial rule. Dom Pedro decided to declare Brazuil's independence from Portugal and his independence from his father (1822). Brazil's economy changed significantly in the 19th century as coffee became an increasingly important crop. There was considerable Europeam immigration in the 19th century, especially from Italy. Dom Pedro II's daughter, the Princess Imperial married Gaston de'Eu (1868). Gaston was the grandson of Louis Phillipe, the deposed French king. The Brazilian monarch was overthrone (1889).

Mexico

Royalist Agustin de Iturbide was a Spnish royalist army general who in the end helped achieve independence. During the Mexican War of Independence, he built a military force that took control of Mexico City (September 1821). He also suceeded in building a political coaltion. After obtainung secession of Mexico from Spain, Iturbide unsuccessfully atempted to set up a monarchy rather than a republic. He was proclaimed president of the Regency. He was then was proclaimed as the constitutional Emperor of Mexico (1822). He reigning briefly (May 19 1822 to March 19, 1823. He then went into exile in Europe. He returned to Mexico to make another attempt to seize power. He was was arrested and executed (July 1824). Santa Anta in Mexico wanted to set up a kingdom, but as a result of his military failures was unable to do so. France made the klast effort to set up a monarchy. The French intervention to force the payment of loans turned into an invasion. Emperor Napoleon III installed Archdule Maximullion as Mexican Emperor. Many in Austria and France believed him to be the son of Napoleon II. Which may in part explain why Napolen III chose him. He and his wife Carlotta were crowned in Mexico City. His reign proved short lived. After Napoleon tiring of the continiong cost of the military intervention. He withdrew French support. Maximillian was also losing Mexican support. He was far too mliberal for the Conservatives that had supported him as a way of ousting President Juárez. Maximillian was executed by a Mexican firing squad. The whole episode is of interest beyond purely Mexican history. It shows how Europeans simply ignored what was happening in the United States. The Civil War was an explosion of military force on an epic scale. Yes many Europeans, especially the Germans just did not think the Americams were caoable of modern warfare. Or that it would be preapred to accept a European imposed monarch on its borders. German military thinking in the 20th century would reflect that continued line of thought to theur detriment.







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Created: 4:00 AM 12/6/2007
Last updated: 7:08 AM 7/4/2010