Benito Juarez vs Princess Alice of the UK

Juarez issued the Laws of the Reforma from Veracruz, separating church and state, nationalizing church property, and establishing civil marriage. These laws aimed to reduce the Catholic Church's political and economic power in Mexico.

Mexican forces under General Ignacio Zaragoza, supported by Juarez's government, defeated the French army at Puebla. Though a tactical victory, it delayed the French invasion and became a symbol of Mexican resistance.

After the fall of Emperor Maximilian I, Juarez returned to Mexico City and restored the republican government. He ordered the execution of Maximilian and conservative generals, consolidating liberal rule.

Juarez ran for re-election against Porfirio Diaz and others, winning amid allegations of fraud. Diaz launched the Plan de la Noria rebellion, claiming the election was rigged, leading to a brief civil conflict.

Princess Alice married Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt. The marriage was a love match, and Alice became a popular figure in Hesse, known for her charitable work and modernizing influence.

Alice founded the Alice Hospital in Darmstadt, which provided medical care for the poor. She personally trained as a nurse and was actively involved in the hospital's operations, setting a precedent for royal philanthropy.

Alice established the Alice Society for Women's Education, which promoted vocational training and higher education for women. This was a progressive step in a conservative German state, though limited in scope.

Alice contracted diphtheria while nursing her children during an outbreak. She died on December 14, 1878, at the age of 35. Her death was widely mourned, and she was remembered for her humanitarian work.