Introduction[]
The Maximilian Restoration, Restorationist Period, or simply the Reform Movement was a political, social, and economic era in Mexico that persisted following the end of the Mexican Civil War and subsequent rise of Felipe I to the Mexican throne. It lasted roughly from 1875 to 1890.
Background[]
Following the end of the Second French Intervention, Mexico was in a fairly unstable state due to the rapid unpopularity of Maximilian despite his calls for unity, and continuing disputes from various factions/detachments of Republican rebels who continued the fight up north and ignored any calls for surrender/compensation. Maximilian still continued construction of Europeanized structures and innovations in the nation to cement an odd amalgamation of Mesoamerican, Austrian, and French identities, whilst also sponsoring a more constitutionalist system which would apply to many oppressed or underlying minorities. This would come to be known as that of a Habsburg identity, which Maximilian (himself of Austrian heritage) continued to be fond of supporting. In a somewhat friendly bid to earn the support of disloyal units in the nation, he would adopt Agustin de Iturbide y Green along with Salvador Iturbide, the current heir apparents of the previous Iturbide dynasty which had ruled Mexico 40 years earlier. Unknowingly, Maximilian had limited his days as Emperor (had they not already been limited due to his growing violent opposition) as he had not realized how estranged the Iturbides were from the general population, and how relatively short their rule had lasted.
Initially Maximilian was popular for his social reforms, however did not maintain enough support to keep his rule solidified as the French Empire, the largest economic and political supporter o the nation, had to withdraw in favor of the United States' Monroe Doctrine and subsequent rise of Prussia (and its German allies) as a significant European power. Though having enough endorsement from Conservative moderates and Liberals based in the denser center regions of the country, Maximilian's rule would hit various unfortunate notes following the collapse of Napoleon III's leadership back in Europe. Following the end of the Paris Commune and organization of the new French Republic, Maximilian would send a letter to President Adolphe Thiers requesting to know whether or not the new government would be saddled with the idea of supporting the Empire. The Republic was not thoroughly interested in such, as Napoleon III's ambitions in their eyes were not suitable of continuing (besides the ones in Africa). Thiers responded by stating that the nation had to fend off for its own, though it would recognize the nation's belligerent identity much like it (and Britain) had done formerly with the now-defunct Confederacy.
Unfortunately this didn't go without mentioning the various ports and munition plants that France, Austria, and Belgium had established along the Gulf frontier following the end of the intervention, making any trade from larger importers (such as the UK and the USA) extremely unlikely for the time being. In the wake of economic decline, Maximilian instead initiated various plans calling for an ultimate reformation of the nation's agriculture and industry, which had already been undergoing redevelopment as part of his Europeanization plans. He still remained an unlike leader in the minds of his-now subordinates, and soon various conspiracies and plots were being planned behind his back so a possible power vacuum could be instated for anyone wishing to refurbish the former Republic.
With growing ambitions from not only Republican remnants, but also from former allies and opposition in the badlands of the country, Maximilian limited his own constitutional rights and offered various amendments that the people could vote for, however many had already viewed his actions as out of desperation due to the economic troubles occurring in the nation's industrial regions needed for further refurbishment. In his last order, Maximilian declared a state of full emergency and extended the martial law to the nation's more populated regions, earning him a more unlike identity and prevailing hardship. In an attempt to escape any possible revolts in Mexico City, he fled by train further north into various secluded areas which would be suitable for another creative government, however rail workers sabotaged a nearby bridge to bring it to a halt. In the ensuing (and debated) aftermath, Maximilian was subsequently killed in an ambush between his loyal soldiers and Republican rebels (accompanied by armed local coal workers).
Mexican Civil War[]
After the death of Maximilian, many Conservative/Liberal factions guided by general Porfirio Diaz soon began various armaments in the areas surrounding Veracruz whilst using canals and railways to create a connective supply line on the Pacific coast, which would allow for an encirclement of the Royalist-occupied Mexico City region. Re-occupying the country would be fairly difficult for both the Royalists and Republicans however, as various groups and states in the north had formed their own individual armies and breakaway nations. In the state of Zacatecas, coal miners and wealthy industrialists formed an Anarchist-leaning bloc as a buffer against any outer expansion from other factions, and took control of nearby refineries and state guard posts. Former President Benito Juarez, with predominant support from northern Liberals would also declare an independent provisional government out of the states of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Chihuahua and later went on to conquer Sonora and Baja California with aid from the United States.
Any subordinates of Maximilian and his royal family would ultimately be unable to leave the country due to an American blockade, however still held onto their power fairly as any anti-Royalist factions in the central parts of Mexico City were knocked out or decentralized in various skirmishes. With no-one willing to take the throne, a regency was established by Juan Almonte in Chapultepec Castle, which would vow to continue the Empire's precarious position as it was engaged in a 3-front war between various factions. In the midst of this chaos the now-former advisor of Maximilian, Felipe Olivares, who was now serving as a top armchair general would quickly take charge of all remaining factions of Royalist troops (with additional support of any moderates who continued supporting the regency), and would organize them along a 50-mile V-formation surrounding the eastern side of Mexico City, which was seeing a closing gap as Diaz' Republican armies continued to push any loyalists further and further.
As the retreating divisions quickly filled up any remaining gaps in the line, and were able to lead a successful defense at Montecillo (Now Ecatepec de Morelos) just outside of the city, just enough to stall the Republican advance to pick up enough local reinforcements. As multiple skirmishes had depleted Diaz' main force, the Royalists exploited the gaps and were able to encircle them in the next 5 days, depleting their center force and putting them on a retreat, whilst also cutting off access to the nearby railroads to derail any trains with reinforcements or recruits. Olivares then sent negotiations to the current U.S. Ambassador, Thomas H. Nelson, requesting military aid and support in promise for better future trade agreements and additional gain of the European ports in the Gulf Coast. This wasn't immediately considered, however following Felipe's success in re-establishing order in the center of the nation (and after capitulating Zacatecas in early 1874), the U.S. measly accepted. With military aid and supplements, Felipe was able to prevent a coalitionary force made up of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador from retaking Guatemala.
Restoration[]
The Civil War then ended following the Battle of Monterrey, and subsequent surrender of all Republican factions with exile of Diaz to Cuba. After re-establishing order and coordination in the country, and redefining the borders of the nation by annexing occupied sectors in Central America, Felipe dissolved the regency and declared himself the Emperor of Mexico, taking on a modified constitutional precision held by Maximilian. He temporarily established an autocracy with himself as central leader in hopes of industrializing the nation following the conflicts that took place, signing a new constitution which (by modern standard) favored a stronger national identity, reformed industrial policies, and better representation for all classes. Adopting the ideas of American writer Henry Thoreau, he urged all citizens to rally against any future leaders who threatened the balance of power. After completing his industrial reforms, Felipe signed and authorized the Constitutional Decree of 1882, which established his monarchy as a Constitutional one, with only limited executive and political power. This reform also saw the establishment of the Presidential and Vice Presidential roles alongside that of the Prime Minister, to make leadership less centralized.
Felipe also issued a minor pardon to what remained of Maximilian's former leadership, and would continue his plans of creating canal systems and railroads in the center of the nation, along with one in Nicaragua to make Pacific Access more simplistic for larger ships. While not intending to shift Mexico away from its cultural identity, he did encourage the teaching of English and German as secondary languages in schools, and established better relations with Britain by allowing them continued ownership of border areas in Quintana Roo. Hoping to reinvigorate Mexico as a much more global society, Felipe began decreasing tariffs and lowering taxes over trade deals, using Mexico's vast minerals to leverage and stimulate exports to other nations, which proved effective in reviving the nation's previously wartime-based economy, marking his last executive effort before passing his plan to his Prime Minister as he himself would not be capable of running the nation's economics due to his growing age and health problems.
Though not as progressive (or constitutional) in his reforms as Maximilian, Felipe was able to successfully enlighten the ideas of monarchy and social reform in the nation that had been promised by previous leadership, and would also decrease costs for the royal family's living standards to prevent the nation from seeing an economic deficit due to the transition. The era he established would be coined the "Restorationist Period" by later historians, and would subsequently end around 1890 once his plans were in full swing. Felipe would die in 1901, and his eldest adopted son Salvador would take the throne.
Aftermath[]
Historians of the modern era have largely compared the Restorationist Period to that of the Era of Good Feelings in the United States, and have credited the reforms made by the new government for establishing Mexico as an industrial powerhouse up until the beginning of World War I. Though while not an official holiday, it is commonly celebrated in the month of September, the month in which the first reforms began.