Iturbide Crowned Agustín I — Mexico's Short-Lived Empire

Agustín de Iturbide was crowned Emperor of Mexico on July 21, 1822, declaring himself Agustín I. Opposed by both pro-monarchy Spanish conservatives who wanted a European prince and by republican liberals who wanted a US-style federation, his rule quickly became authoritarian. When he dissolved Congress, General Antonio López de Santa Anna proclaimed the Plan de Casa Mata, Iturbide abdicated in March 1823 and went into exile. He returned in 1824 and was immediately arrested and executed — making him Mexico's only ruler executed on return from exile.