# Black Decree (3 October 1865)

URL: https://allhistories.com/mexico/timeline/1865-black-decree
Location: Mexico City
Themes: Politics

Believing falsely that Juárez has left the country, Maximilian decrees that all members of armed republican bands are to be court-martialled and executed within 24 hours. Hundreds of republicans are shot under the decree. Among those executed under the decree are republican generals José María Arteaga and Carlos Salazar.

## Why it matters
The decree alienated moderate opinion and was cited against Maximilian at his own trial in 1867.

Ruler at the Time: [Benito Juárez](https://allhistories.com/mexico/rulers/benito-juarez)

Emperor of Mexico: Maximilian I

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Maximilian I of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico)
- [Wikipedia — Second Mexican Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Mexican_Empire)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Black Decree](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Black+Decree)
- [Wikipedia — Reform & French Intervention (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Reforma)