Maximilian is hopelessly outnumbered, and resolves on…
May 1867 CE
Maximilian is hopelessly outnumbered, and resolves on May 11 to attempt an escape through the enemy lines.
He is, however, intercepted before he can carry out this plan on May 15 and, following a court-martial, is sentenced to death.
Many of the crowned heads of Europe and other prominent figures (including liberals Victor Hugo and Giuseppe Garibaldi) have sent telegrams and letters to Mexico pleading for Maximilian's life to be spared, but Juárez refuses to commute the sentence, believing that it is necessary to send a message that Mexico will not tolerate any government imposed by foreign powers.