Presentation:

From Mexico’s independence in 1821 to Maximilian’s execution in 1867, the nation and Oaxaca endured political chaos and two civil wars— the Reform War and the French Invasion, both initiated by Mexican Conservatives. Oaxaca’s Zócalo and el Centro witnessed pivotal battles. Throughout, “favourite sons” of Oaxaca” President Benito Juárez and General Porfirio Díaz rose to defend republican ideals. The presentation explores the events mentioned above as well as the leadership of Juárez and Díaz in  the dramatic saga of Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlota, known as the French Invasion.

Maximilian’s execution and Carlota's madness ended Mexico’s experiment with monarchy, loosened the shackles of the Catholic Church, and strengthened the resolve to be a republic.

Attending this presentation will provide you with a framework for understanding the challenges of living in México and Oaxaca in the half-century after Independence. As well you’ll learn stories to tell friends about your surroundings as you share beverages of your choice in Oaxaca's Zócalo--or visit the Zócalo of México City.

Presenter:

Brooke Broadbent. Decades ago, Brooke taught Canadian and American History in Europe. Over ten years ago, Brooke began visiting Oaxaca in the winter and learning about the history of Oaxaca and México, initially through courses in the Oaxaca Lending Library.  When Covid struck, he spent a winter in Canada researching full-time--producing a lengthy article in Wikipedia about García Bustos’ mural in the Palacio de Gobierno, called Oaxaca en el historia y el mito. This led him to conduct presentations at the OLL, and this will be his fourth. In addition, he offers articles on a Facebook page called Oaxaca: Past is Present.