The French Experience in Mexico, 1821-1861 by Nancy Nichols Barker

Author:Nancy Nichols Barker [Barker, Nancy Nichols]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Latin America, Mexico
ISBN: 9781469650098
Google: ZWRqDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: UNC Press Books
Published: 2018-08-25T22:27:05+00:00

The Two Napoleons and the Lengthening Shadow of the United States

Not long after Louis Napoleon assumed the imperial crown as Napoleon III in December 1852 Mexico too seemed on the verge of adopting a monarchical form of government. Arista was overthrown in January 1853. After a period of confusion the conservatives assumed power and elected Santa Anna as dictator with a one-year term. The “Bonaparte of the West,” as he called himself, arrived in the capital in April 1853. The new regime, whose guiding spirit was Alamán, took energetic measures to centralize the authority of the government and to censor the press.

Again there was an ideological rapprochement between France and Mexico that manifested itself in the cordiality of their relations. Even Santa Anna was willing to forget his grudge against the French now that they were governed by a Bonaparte. In moving against the federal system in Mexico the dictator and Alamán were consciously copying the strong centralized institutions of France. “We would even like to follow her example to the point of establishing a hereditary monarchy,” Alamán told Levasseur; but failing that, he continued, “we would like him [Santa Anna] to have [an emperor's]. . . authority and strength.”

Alamán desired more than a model from France. He also desired her protection. “Would not the extension of the power of the United States over all Mexico and perhaps to the Isthmus of Panama be dangerous to Europe from the point of view of maritime influence?” he asked Levasseur. “We are convinced that if the Emperor Napoleon desires to save us, he can do it, he can assure our independence and contribute to the development of our power that would become a counterweight to the United States.”80 Would not the emperor consider guaranteeing the territorial integrity of Mexico? That the emperor might see that the Mexican government was serious in its proposal, Alamán designated a conservative who shared his views, Ramón Pacheco, as minister plenipotentiary to France and charged him with its negotiation.

Pacheco found Napoleon III in a receptive mood. The emperor greeted the minister warmly and invited him to dine informally at the palace with his Spanish wife, Empress Eugénie,81 herself a longtime champion of monarchy in Mexico, who had for years been urging the emperor “to do something” for that country. The emperor seemed very nearly as desirous as the Mexicans of halting American encroachment on Mexican territory. His government was carefully following the negotiations of right of passage across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec that had gone on for several years between Mexico, the United States, and American entrepreneurial companies. Tehuantepec had now replaced Nicaragua in the emperor's mind as the most favorable location for an interoceanic canal, and he was determined to prevent this area from passing under the sovereignty of the United States.

In a few weeks Pacheco made encouraging progress. The emperor appeared on the point of accepting at least a limited responsibility for the preservation of the Mexican state. Through Drouyn de Lhuys he informed Pacheco

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