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Napoleon III's motives for intervening in Mexico in the 1860s were consistent with his foreign policy, which was based on his belief that free trade was the best foundation for peace. He saw the establishment of a friendly government in Mexico as an opportunity to expand that policy to encompass the world by ensuring European access to American markets, and preventing monopoly by the United States. His attempts to achieve this, however, were thwarted by his representatives in Mexico and the suspicions of his neighbours.
List of contents
List of Maps Preface List of Abbreviations Introduction Prelude to Intervention The Tripartite Convention The Venture Underway A Life of its Own 'A Chaos of Difficulties' The Will of the People? The Empire Does Mean Peace 'A Noble and Chimerical Utopia' La Plus Grande Pensée du Règne? Appendices Notes References Bibliography Index
About the author
MICHELE CUNNINGHAM is visiting Research Fellow in the History Department at the University of Adelaide in South Australia.
Summary
Napoleon III's motives for intervening in Mexico in the 1860s were consistent with his foreign policy, which was based on his belief that free trade was the best foundation for peace. He saw the establishment of a friendly government in Mexico as an opportunity to expand that policy to encompass the world by ensuring European access to American markets, and preventing monopoly by the United States. His attempts to achieve this, however, were thwarted by his representatives in Mexico and the suspicions of his neighbours.
Additional text
'Professor Cunningham's well-researched and well-written book is a valuable and over-due addition to the revisionist history of the French Second Empire. In the literature of the French intervention in Mexico during the 1860's it is the first to focus on the role of Napoleon III and to examine it both with minute attention to the available documents and within the overall context of the emperor's foreign policy ideas and the many other concerns which claimed his attention. Napoleon III has not always been studied fairly and objectively. Here he is, and with considerable success.' - William E. Echard, Professor of History Emeritus, Glendon College, York University (Toronto)
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'Professor Cunningham's well-researched and well-written book is a valuable and over-due addition to the revisionist history of the French Second Empire. In the literature of the French intervention in Mexico during the 1860's it is the first to focus on the role of Napoleon III and to examine it both with minute attention to the available documents and within the overall context of the emperor's foreign policy ideas and the many other concerns which claimed his attention. Napoleon III has not always been studied fairly and objectively. Here he is, and with considerable success.' - William E. Echard, Professor of History Emeritus, Glendon College, York University (Toronto)
