Page:Margaret Shipman - Mexico's Struggle Towards Democracy (1927).pdf/18

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god. Maximilian, however, soon won the disapproval of the church by refusing to comply with its demand for restoration of lands, and by favoring, to quite an extent, liberal policies.[1]

The French invaders captured one city after another. Juarez and his cabinet were obliged to change their headquarters frequently, and in being thus chased about over the country, came much in contact with the people. Large estates encountered in their travels were divided up and distributed to the peons. Revolutionary education by word and deed was spread broadcast.

The United States was busy with her own civil war, and at first took no decided stand against French intervention. The government, however, recognized Juarez as the head of the Mexican government, all through the struggle. He in turn abstained from recognition of the southern confederacy. "The chances for Maximilian's success in Mexico had been from the first deliberately calculated on the basis of the probable success of the southern confederacy."[2] The confederate government sought alliance with Maximilian and after its defeat several influential southerners identified themselves with his government. In the north there was considerable pressure, in which General Grant played a leading part, for military intervention on the side of the revolutionists and the government allowed munitions and volunteers to go to them. Finally, Seward formally demanded the withdrawal of French troops, but already Napoleon III had announced intention of withdrawal to the French chamber. His action was due in part to the unexpected difficulty and cost of the Mexican cam-


  1. Priestley, Op. Cit., pp. 342–44.
  2. Latane, Op. Cit., p. 217.

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