Juarez

I, Louis-Napoleon, emperor of France

pledge our wealth and the might of our army

not in a spirit of selfish conquest

but in a crusade to restore to our race

and the rest of the civilized world

our ancient force and prestige.

Let the world know that our conquest of Mexico

is only the beginning of the fulfillment

of our holy mission.

What does this letter mean to us, Louis?

What does it mean?

The American Civil War may end at any moment..

and the North is going to win.

- What do you think it means? - But we...

We undertook the Mexican conquest

on the theory the South would be victorious

that a divided America would be unable

to enforce the Monroe Doctrine.

You! You are responsible for this, Randon.

You convinced us that the South was certain to triumph.

And this Battle of Gettysburg is incomprehensible.

It is your business as minister of war

to know which side will win a battle before it is fought!

Your Imperial Majesty

I-I admit my mistake, but I...

Mistake?

Mistake, you call it?

I cannot afford the luxury of such things as mistakes!

Mistakes are for constitutional monarchs

presidents and suchlike

not for a supreme autocrat.

Millions have been poured into the Mexican conquest

millions for men, more men, ships, munitions.

I could have conquered half of Europe at less cost.

You and your banker friends have got me into this mess.

Well, Your Majesty is unfair.

The collection of Mexico's debt was of secondary importance.

Your Majesty intervened in Mexico

to block the spread of American democracy.

Democracy, the rule of the cattle

by the cattle, for the cattle.

Abraham Lincoln.

Parliaments, plebiscites, proletarians

a mob intoxicated with ideas of equality. Cattle!

Am I to be destroyed by such filth? Am I?

Well, what do you advise now?

Shall we evacuate Mexico

admit the defeat of French imperialism

at the hands of Benito Juarez, an Indian bandit

and be engulfed by a revolution here at home..

or should we wait for the Yankees to destroy us

on the Rio Grande?

Well, if we evacuate Mexico now

we're certain to have trouble here at home.

As I see it, there's everything to lose

by an immediate withdrawal.

No doubt, that's the way you do see it, de Morny!

Calm yourself, Louis.

We have no great problem in this affair.

Does madame imply that she sees a solution?

Take a lesson from your uncle, Louis.

How did the first Napoleon hold Holland?

By giving Holland a monarch.

How did he hold Sweden?

By giving Sweden a monarch.

Why shouldn't you hold Mexico in the same way

by giving Mexico a monarch of its own?

But, Genie, you forget the Monroe Doctrine.

The Monroe Doctrine applies

only to the taking of American territory

by European powers..

not to the internal affairs of the American nation.

Consequently, the United States would have

no legal grounds for complaint

were Mexico to have an emperor..

who happened to favor French interests.

Well, no doubt the gentlemen of the Mexican Conservative Party

whom Senor Montares represents

will be overjoyed at the prospect of a monarch.

A monarch who would return to us

the lands which were seized by Benito Juarez?

A splendid idea.

Excellent!

And since the idea originated with madame

it should be her privilege to nominate

the future emperor of Mexico herself.

Then let us see.

There's Prince Albrecht of Anhalt-Zerbst.

Oh, but he's a Protestant, of course, and won't do.

The Margrave Karl of Lippe-Detmold.

Too old.

The Archduke Maximilian of Austria.

Oh, but he's a Habsburg, of course, and couldn't accept.

Not even if the Mexican people were to offer him the throne

through a plebiscite?

Let us try.

- What's your name? - Jose de la Cruz.

- Can you write? - No.

Put your mark here.

- What's your name? - Juan Maleno.

Can you write?

Do not write your names, companeros.

You are being tricked! We don't want an emperor.

We still have a president, Benito Juarez

who helped us get lands.

If an emperor comes, he will take them away!

Then we shall starve and be slaves again!

Put your mark here.

- What's your name? - Antonio Rosales.

- Write it here. - I will not sign!

Viva Juarez!

I will not sign! It's a trickery!

We don't want an emperor!

Viva Benito Juarez!

Viva la republi..

"The constitutional president of the Republic

"to the people of Mexico.

"Mexicans..

"the guilt of Napoleon III

"whose lust for conquest

"has destroyed thousands of Mexicans

"the guilt of those traitors here at home

"who would sell their birthright to foreigners

"for the privilege of exploiting their fellow countrymen

'"the guilt of all who have conspired'

'"to commit the gravest crime against civilization'

"which is the despoiling of the liberty of a free people

"now embodies itself in the person of the usurper

"Maximiliano von Habsburg.

"Let him who would come to our shores

"to rule over us as a tyrant

"know that the cause of democracy

"has not perished and shall not perish.

"Let him know, that to us

"the defense of democracy is an imperative duty

"since it is the defense of our own honor

"the dignity of our wives and children

"the honor and dignity of all men.

"Let him know that the struggle of right against might

"shall never cease in Mexico

"until the last patriot lies

"with the thousands upon thousands

"who have already laid down their lives

"for truth, liberty

"and justice.

'Done at Saltillo, this first day of May, 1864."'

'Marechal Bazaine, I can assure you'

'of His Majesty's complete confidence.'

During my stay in Paris

he repeatedly expressed his pleasure

in having you in command

of his troops here in Mexico.

I'm very grateful for His Majesty's confidence.

Well, what is it?

Grand total of the plebiscites.

In favor of the monarchy, 6,020,758.

Against the monarchy, 60,412

being a majority of 5,960,346.

In other words, 99% of the entire vote

an overwhelming majority

for your friend, the archduke, senor.

Thanks to your cooperation

Monsieur le Marechal.

All we need do now is to await the arrival

of His Imperial Majesty Maximilian von Habsburg

by the grace of God and the will of the people

emperor of Mexico.

On this historic occasion

as Your Majesties first set foot upon this soil

the eager heart of Mexico

is too full of pride and gratitude

to speak more than a single word

welcome.

It is with a feeling of profound reverence

that we set foot upon this soil, senor

in the full consciousness of our obligation to it

and to those who have entrusted their destinies

to our hands.

With your Imperial Majesty's permission

the liberator of Mexico

le Marechal Achille Bazaine.

Your Imperial Majesties

it is my privilege and pleasure to convey the congratulations

of the French Army of Occupation.

We are grateful to the Army of Occupation

and to you personally, Monsieur le Marechal.

Max!

It's alive.

It's one of Your Majesty's most valuable servants.

The vultures of Mexico are protected by law.

They are the scavengers of its cities

consuming all garbage and keeping its streets clean.

'Colonel Miguel Lopez'

'commanding the escort in charge'

of Your Majesty's personal safety.

You have a large command, colonel.

Is there a possibility we may be attacked?

Not the slightest, sire.

We only wish to secure Your Majesties

against any intrusions.