When d*ath no longer frightens Maximilian was not ex*cuted by chance: his d*ath was the result of an explosive political chain of events. Installed in 1864 as Emperor of Mexico with the military support of Napoleon III, he ruled over a fragile empire, widely rejected by much of the population. After signing a ruthless decree allowing the immediate ex*cution of anyone assisting the Republican forces, he earned lasting hatred. When Napoleon III withdrew his troops, Maximilian found himself alone,