Maximilian's bid to become Emperor of Mexico had struck a nerve with quite a few people.
Domestic Republican opposition was one thing, but since he had been installed by the French, many within the Constitutionalists also feared that French influence would continue to expand and chose to wait and see.
Before Maximilian arrived in Mexico, Lincoln had already made his stance clear: he opposed French interference in Mexico's internal affairs and condemned France for violating the Monroe Doctrine.
That was a minor issue. They had even interfered in American domestic affairs—who would still take the Monroe Doctrine seriously? The French paid no heed whatsoever to Lincoln's protest.
The Spanish had already occupied Haiti Island, Austria had stretched its hand into Central America, and the British intended to reclaim the western territories. Naturally, the French did not see anything wrong with plotting for Mexico.
They had not annexed it outright, merely supported a puppet government to rule it. That was already a very proper-looking way to eat. At the very least, it looked better than Austria's plan to turn the nations of Central America into autonomous provinces.
It was not only the Northern Government that opposed Maximilian becoming Emperor of Mexico. Even the Southern Government opposed it. They feared that once the Mexican Empire developed, it would harm their interests.
Against this backdrop, in March 1864, Maximilian ascended the throne as Emperor of Mexico, known to history as Maximilian I.
Everyone's attention was fixed on the American Civil War, and no one had much interest in this newly born Mexican emperor. This coronation could be called the worst in a century.
Never mind that the caliber of the guests was embarrassingly low. The distance was so great that one could hardly expect European nobles to make the journey in person. Even