Revitalized by American financial and military support, Juarez’s army began to gain the upper hand in what had become a very bitter war. Emperor Maximilian’s so-called Black decree against what he viewed as insurrectionist resulted in the execution of 12,000-suspected Juarez supporters and convinced many previously neutral Mexicans to support Juarez. Pressured by the United States, France withdrew its army in 1866 and Maximilian was captured and executed by firing squad the following year. In this image by Edouard Manet, Maximilian and two of his most loyal Mexican generals meet their fate.
