The Mexican Empire refers to two distinct historical periods in Mexico's history when it was ruled as an empire. The first was from 1821 to 1823, following Mexico's independence from Spain, when Agustín de Iturbide declared himself Emperor. This short-lived empire faced internal conflicts and was dissolved after just two years. The second Mexican Empire occurred from 1864 to 1867, when Maximilian I of Austria was installed as emperor by French intervention. This empire aimed to establish a monarchy in Mexico but ultimately fell due to resistance from republican forces led by Benito Juárez, leading to Maximilian's execution and the restoration of the republic.