Marie Antoinette Thesis

The French Revolution occurred in the late 1700’s. There was much violence and change in society. Throughout this time, there was a highly judged individual who had a slight impact, but did not constantly voice her opinion. This was Marie Antoinette, who was born Marie Antonia Josepha Joanna on November 2, 1755 in Vienna, Austria. The second to youngest, fifteenth child, got an education, and lived a relatively luxurious life. She married Louis XVI at the young age of fourteen. It was not a great marriage, for Antoinette did not enjoy the publicity of the position she was in. Five years later in the year of 1774, Louis XV, the grandfather of Louis XVI died, making nineteen year old Antoinette the Queen of France (History.com Staff). Louis

She then had three more children. Antoinette had her own private palace on the property of the Palace of Versailles, called the Petit Trianon. In 1780, she was often seen spending time there without husband Louis XVI. There were rumors that she was having an affair with Swedish diplomat von Fersen. Additionally, these sightings did not build a good reputation for Antoinette. The French economy became unstable, and a poor harvest led to increased grain prices. People blamed her for being too extravagant, ignorant, and an adulteress. They inaccurately believed that she was the reason for their poor economy. Cartoons that mocked her were made, a popular one calling her “Madame Deficit”. Her reputation was forever polluted after a diamond necklace scandal. An impostor stole a 647 diamond necklace, smuggled it, and sold the separate pieces in London. Although she had no involvement in this crime, the people could only see her guilt, but Antoinette did not let that affect her too much. She began a new project, building Hameau de la Reine a retreat close to Petit Trianon (History.com

At the Tuileries Palace in Paris, Antoinette took Louis XVI’s place meeting with ambassadors and advisers of theirs, and sending out important letters to other European leaders asking for help to save France’s monarchy. Later in 1791, Antoinette and her lover, the Count, made a plan to get the royal family out of France, but that failed. They were sent back to Paris, and Louis XVI had to agree to uphold a new constitution (Biography.com Editors, History.com Staff). However, in late 1792, when France was at war with Austria, many people believed that Antoinette was conspiring with, and funding Austria due to her connections to that country (Covington). A powerful Jacobin leader named Robespierre removed the king and in 1792 after a month of many executions, France’s monarchy was abolished, and a Republic was formed. Marie Antoinette was originally from Austria, so the people The Queen and King were then taken as