Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were the leaders of France during the French Revolution in the years 1774-1792. However, they were definitely not known for their great leadership skills. Their Majesties Louis and Marie were best known for having the most scandals among any couple in royal history, which was mostly on Marie's behalf. Whether it was the Queen's exquisite wardrobe that she never wore twice, her wild and extravagant parties that went on all night and three times a week, or Marie's not-so-secret affairs with different lovers, the Queen of France made sure that her and her country were always getting the attention. They are known as the most scandalous and disliked monarchs in history because of their lavish spending and little interest in their people and improving their country.
Louis XVI and Marie were not always disliked, however. When they were first married and crowed as monarchs, they were greatly admired by the public for being young. The citizens of France saw that their youth represented a new hope for France. However, they quickly changed their minds. Louis was never a good leader; it just wasn't in his personality. Whatever money Marie didn't find ways to spend, Louis would use on France's army and not on the country itself. Louis was shy and didn't want to be involved with the overwhelming social gatherings like his wife participated in. Marie was known as a scandalous party queen and social butterfly with a bubbly personality. She wasn't afraid to do anything. Marie and Louis were almost polar opposites to each other, so they didn't spend much time together.
Before she was married, in her home country of Austria, Marie Antoinette was more of a tomboy. She wore very plain dresses and didn't ca...
... middle of paper ...
... were one of the most disliked and scandalous couples in history. They spent all of France’s money for their own good and not the good of the people. Marie took advantage of her royal status and the people hated her for it. She spent the majority of the money on her own massive clothing, flawless hair, and extravagant parties that weren’t at all necessary. They were not good leaders by any standards and it made the people of France furious. All of these problems, along with a lack of basic sympathy for their own people, eventually lead to the loss of Louis and Marie’s heads at the guillotine. Citizens thought that the crowning of Marie and Louis XVI would symbolize a new hope for France, but it turned out that their death did. The people of France were glad to see Marie and Louis go after a long reign of deprived living conditions, starvation and corrupt leadership.
In 1765, Holy Roman Emperor Francis I, her father, died of a stroke. He left Maria Theresa his position, and gave their eldest son, Emperor Joseph II, the throne. Because of this political, it became a requirement for Marie Antoinette to marry Louis Auguste. Her mother sent her to France and agreed on this marriage. It was hard to adjus...
The French Revolution, beginning in 1789, was a lengthy process in which the people of France took over the government and instituted a Republic (Chambers). The overarching goal of the Revolution was to place the power of government in the hands of the people. For two years, whilst France was facing internal disorganization and external wartime threats, the government was run by a war dictatorship under Maximilien Robespierre, the head of the Committee of Public Safety (“Reign of Terror”). Amid much internal suspicion and fear, the Reign of Terror began. Much of France was politically divided, and Robespierre’s method for keeping the government stable in a time of crisis involved severe penalties for any suspected of plotting against the new government (Chambers). Soon the accusations began to fly and a handful of people convicted and killed for treason became thousands. Many of the cases turned into the accuser’s word versus the accused, and a government preoccupied with bigger issues often did not care to look into these cases, simply convicting the accused, supposedly to promote a sense of unity and control to the citizens of France, and to forewarn anyone who did attempt treasonous deeds (Chambers). Eventually, Marie Antoinette, guilty of no crime other than marrying the former king, was executed on the grounds of treason (“French Revolution: The Reign of Terror”). Many thought this was taking a step too far. The former Queen was well-respec...
In the book, Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France , the author, Evelyne Lever, paints a beautiful portrayal of the life of Marie Antoinette; from an Austrian princess to Queen of France to her untimely death at the end of a guillotine. Marie Antoinette was the fifteenth child born to the Empress Maria Theresa and Francis I, the Holy Roman Emperor. She lived a carefree childhood until she was strategically married and sent to France when she was fourteen years old. The marriage between Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, the future King of France, was meant to bring Austria and France closer together politically. Unfortunately, that did not happen; instead the monarchy collapsed with Marie Antoinette managing to alienate and offend a vast
O: Rage and revolt can describe the country of France at the time of the Revolution faced because of turmoil and struggle they faced. Different estates were formed based on what you did and your class in society. The people of society wanted more say in the government and decisions that King Louis XVI made. The public didn't approve with much of what King Louis did. His lack of ability to be a strong king and leader affected his reputation to the public eye. King Louis was tried for committing treason to the country of France. Treason is the attempt to kill a sovereign and overthrow the government. Some of the reasons were his attempt to flee to Varennes, living in Versailles which was not in Paris, and reforms he passed as a ruler. These actions performed by King Louis isn’t what a King does, but that doesn’t prove any
Up until his death he was unwavering: while maintaining his innocence and love for his people. As new radical governments usually are, the Republic of France was incredibly bloody and horrific. It claimed thousands of French lives post Bastille Day, and unfortunately, Marie Antoinette’s as well. October 16th 1793 proved to be the Queen’s last day. But even in death she was a picture of grace and dignity. She was noted to have said “Courage? The moment when my ills are going to end is not the moment when courage is going to fail me.” Marie Antoinette was a dignified woman up until her last day, never allowing anyone to see how the circumstances were affecting her. Unfortunately, that may have been her downfall. Appearing unrelatable and emotionally desolate drew a wedge between her and her people
Louis XV, the current king of France at the time, came to know of her in this way. Many knew her name, and rumors were widespread, even at th...
Marie Antoinette wrongfully suffered for many years under the pressures of court and the subjects under the crown. She redeemed herself from the immature spending and luxury of her earlier years by serving as a loving wife, mother and ruler later on. Despite her situation, she remained a fair, brave and respectable queen and should be remembered for her courageous acts in a time of revolutionary change.
Power- something so potent, yet so easy to misuse. Not everyone can obtain power, however those who possess it often acquire arrogance. Louis XIV held total control of France, abusing his dominance. Louis called himself ‘the Sun King’, believing that everything revolved around him. His pompousness led him to making foolish decisions, as he considered himself to be superior. If you don’t use your brain, you will ultimately lose it, as Louis was beheaded by the determined citizens of France. Likewise, in Antigone, King Creon is the ruler of Thebes. Creon makes an arbitrary ruling, swearing the ‘disloyal’ Polyneices should never be buried. When Antigone goes against this, Creon is infuriated. Creon lets his arrogance take over, and continuously makes unwise decisions. Power simply creates narcissism, as Creon’s pride causes him to commit foolish actions.
... move, defunding any revolts they might plan, and preoccupying their time with petty social matters instead of matters of the state. If Louis’ reign was not supported by the enabling qualities of the Palace of Versailles, his reign would certainly not be as absolute as it was.
Lasting from 1789 to 1799, the French Revolution led a major turning point in the history of France. Ten years were filled with bloodshed, war, and terror. One of the results of the revolution was the overthrow of the monarchy, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette is considered the most infamous and despised person in French history; however, not many know her life story.
Thesis Statement: Marie Antoinette is an influential person because she was only fourteen years old when she got married. She was also a teen idol and after she passed away a U.S city was named in honor of her. Marie Antoinette was born on November 2, 1755, in Vienna, Austria (Source 1). Marie Antoinette was the 15th out of 17 children from her mother (Source 1). Marie Antoinette’s parents were emperor Francis I and empress Maria Empress (Source 3). Marie Antoinette lived a childhood that was mainly carefree (Source 4). Her education was emblematic of an upper class girl (Source 1). She mainly learned how to act and how not to act when she was at school during her childhood (Source 1). France and Austria had been enemies for a long time, but when Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I were king and queen they made a treaty (Source 3). Marie Antoinette married Louis XVI to strengthen France and Austria's bond
...roblems and turned a great number of people against the monarchy. These events lead to the resentment that was another key factor in beginning the French Revolution. The end of King Louis XIV’s rule was especially disastrous. After the death of his advisor Colbert, King Louis XIV made even more horrible and costly decisions. He further enlarged the military and entered into many wars in which he lost a great deal of her newly acquired territories and increased the national debt even more.
In the end, Marie Antoinette's influence on the French Revolution can not be pinpointed. What can be said, is that the rumors spread about her helped evoke a hatred for her and what she represented: the aristocrats. The actions of this collective enraged the population of France to rise up and take power. There was a solid reason for the aristocrats to be blamed for the troubles of France, but to pin it all on Marie Antoinette’s head is disagreeable. The French Revolution was caused by several factors, a few that were represented by Marie Antoinette.
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France from 1770 to 1797 was despised by the people of France. Their hatred of her and the monarchy in general led to the French Revolution. Many issues led to the unpopularity of Queen Maria Antoinette, her vanity, her disregard for the people, but perhaps the most significant was the Affair of the Diamond Necklace.
... Soon, King Louis XV had bankrupted the national treasury of France and had left the country in debt. By this time, the monarchs were being frowned upon, so when France was passed onto Louis XVI, people judged him quickly and deemed him a bad king who did not know how to deal with the country’s affairs. The people of France were tired of having kings who repeatedly ignored their problems and needs and were turning against the idea of absolutism, making it one cause of the French Revolution.