What would have happened if Maximilian of Hapsburg had remained Emperor of Mexico?

Question

What consequences would this have brought to today's political picture? Would Mexico have been a different nation or pretty much the same?
Serious answers please, this was a discussion a group of friends had recently and the conclusions we came to were very interessting, i want to see if this view is shared by more people.

Remember that meximilian ahd very progressive ideas that put him in conflict with the conservatives that had brought him to mexico initially, France deserted him because he didn't want to follow napoleon III's project for mexico, and ended up alone and against the lawful republican government of juarez who defeated him and executed him militarily by firing squad. What lessons this episode of history give us?
Participation apreciated!

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

In spite of progressive ideas, Max probably couldn't have held on indefinitely in Mexico because of his being a foreign ruler. This fact would probably have kept the Mexican people from ever becoming truly endeared to him.

If it hadn't been Juarez who had got rid of him, someone else probably would have done so. This is just supposition, but I doubt if the Mexicans would have tolerated a foreign ruler, especially so soon after shaking off the Spanish yoke.

Answer 2

Alexis de Toqueville believed the US and Russia's expansion would lead both nations to dominate the world, Europe would fall under. Napoleon III wanted to put a European prince into power in Mexico to keep the US on check just as Russia was kept on check by the European powers. The US did everything it could to undermine Maximilian rule including sending advisors to fight along side with Juarez and supplying the Liberals with the most modern weapons of the time. I think Maximilian could have stayed in power inspite of being a foreigner, had it not been for the US seeing him as a threat and given him diplomatic recognition. Had Maximilian kept power he would have been succeded by Prince Iturbide upon his death.