Maximilian
JOSEPH, King of Bavaria; born in Schwetzingen, Baden, May 27, 1756. He succeeded his uncle, Charles Theodore, in 1799. Attaching himself to the fortunes of Napoleon, he gave his daughter in marriage to Eugène Beauharnais in 1806. In the same year his duchy was erected into a kingdom.
In 1813, however, he formed a member of the league against the emperor, and by that proceeding retained his throne after the fall of Napoleon. He died in Nymphenburg, near Munich, Oct. 13, 1825.
MAXIMILIAN Prince and formerly heir presumptive of Baden, a German statesman, born July 10, 1867. He was president of the Upper Chamber of Baden in 1917 and in an address made at that time he indicated that his views on the war were moderate. This led to the belief that he would be acceptable as a spokesman for Germany in dealing with the Allied nations. On Oct. 2, 1918, he was made Chancellor of the Empire.
His position was weakened by the publication of a private letter in which he ridiculed the sincerity of his previous profession. Maximilian on assuming office at once began negotiations for peace. On Oct. 4, 1918, he appealed to President Wilson for immediate institution of peace negotiations. This was followed by an exchange of notes between the German Government and President Wilson. On the day following the sending of the first notes, Maximilian addressed the Reichstag and indicated a disposition in which he declared his argeement with the program of the majority parties in the Reichstag for a conclusion of peace on moderate terms.
Constitutional reforms were at once instituted under Maximilian's direction. Before these could be carried into effect, however, there was an internal collapse of the government. On Oct. 27, 27, 1918, General von Ludendorff resigned. This was followed by a revolt of the German fleet and the seizure of Kiel by the Soldiers' Council. On Nov. 8, 1918, Maximilian resigned, but his resignation was not accepted. On November 9 he published a decree declaring that he would remain in office until the setting up of the regency had been settled. He was succeeded on the following day as Chancellor by Friedrich Ebert.
MAXIMINUS (-mīnus), CAIUS JULIUS VERUS, a Roman emperor. He was of barbarian origin, and was at first a shepherd in Thrace. His capacity for fighting procured him rapid advancement, and under Alexander Severus he had the command of a legion with which MAXWELL he served on the Rhine. In A. D. 235 he took part in a conspiracy against Alexander, and on his murder by the soldiers was proclaimed emperor. The Gordiani having been proclaimed in Africa, Maximinus hastened to Italy and laid siege to Aquileia, which made heroic resistance to the hated tyrant. He was there murdered by his soldiers, together with his son in 238.