In 1862, Napoleon III of France established a Frenchclient state in Mexico.[9] This was directly in opposition to the United States' Monroe Doctrine (of no Europeancolonies in the Americas).[9] However, the United States had to be careful not to upset a delicate situation.[10] The US was embroiled in Civil War and could not spare the military forces to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. Also, the US did not want to upset France, who had set up Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico.[10] Most importantly they did not want France to help the Confederacy.[10] Wanting the goodwill of the United States, Maximilian refused any suggestion of an alliance with the Confederacy.[10] After the Civil war, Maximillian likewise wanted to maintain goodwill and so refused several Confederate generals, Price included, who wanted to bring their forces to Mexico to serve in his army.[9] This was naive on the Emperor's part since the US had always recognized Benito Juárez as the legitimate ruler of Mexico.[9]
