The Reign of Louis XVI and the French Revolution
Louis XVI's ascent to the French throne in 1774 marked the beginning of a reign fraught with financial crises and revolutionary fervor. His marriage to Marie Antoinette and the subsequent reforms to address the kingdom's debt faced fierce opposition, leading to the summoning of the Estates-General and the rise of the National Assembly. The storming of the Bastille and the failed Flight to Varennes further weakened royal authority, culminating in Louis XVI's trial and execution, which signaled the end of the monarchy and the birth of the French Republic.
See moreAscension of Louis XVI to the Throne of France
Louis XVI, born Louis-Auguste in 1754, was the grandson of Louis XV and became the heir apparent after the untimely deaths of his father and elder brother. He ascended to the throne on May 10, 1774, following the death of his grandfather. His marriage to Marie Antoinette, an Austrian archduchess, in 1770 was intended to solidify Franco-Austrian alliances but ultimately contributed to his unpopularity due to widespread anti-Austrian sentiments among the French people.Financial Crisis and Reform Efforts During Louis XVI's Reign
Louis XVI inherited a kingdom burdened with debt and an inefficient tax system. To alleviate the financial crisis, he appointed Charles Alexandre de Calonne as his Finance Minister, who proposed sweeping reforms in 1787. These reforms were rejected by the Assembly of Notables, leading to Calonne's dismissal. His successor, Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne, faced similar opposition from the Parlement of Paris, prompting Louis XVI to exile the Parlement. This act further destabilized the monarchy's standing with the public and the privileged classes.The Estates-General and the Formation of the National Assembly
The dire financial situation forced Louis XVI to summon the Estates-General in May 1789, an event that had not occurred since 1614. The Estates-General, which represented the three traditional estates of French society, became deadlocked over the issue of voting by order or by head. The Third Estate, representing the commoners, declared itself the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, after being locked out of the meeting by the king. This self-assertion marked the beginning of a new political era and the eventual downfall of the monarchy.The Storming of the Bastille and the Erosion of Royal Authority
Tensions escalated when Louis XVI mobilized troops around Paris, leading to widespread fear and unrest. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbol of the revolution and a turning point in the struggle against absolutism. The fall of the Bastille not only weakened royal authority but also emboldened the National Assembly to proceed with drafting a constitution that aimed to limit the powers of the king and establish a constitutional monarchy.The Flight to Varennes and the King's Arrest
With the revolutionary government limiting his power, Louis XVI and his family attempted to escape to the Austrian Netherlands in June 1791. The failed escape, known as the Flight to Varennes, ended with their arrest and return to Paris. The incident exposed the king's lack of commitment to the revolutionary changes and further eroded his legitimacy. The discovery of a document outlining his negative views on the revolution added to the public's distrust and complicated the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.Trial and Execution of Louis XVI
The outbreak of war with Austria in April 1792 and the suspicion of Louis XVI's collusion with foreign powers led to his arrest and trial by the National Convention. The discovery of the Armoire de fer, a hidden cabinet containing documents that suggested the king's counter-revolutionary activities, sealed his fate. Convicted of treason, Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a closely divided Convention and was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793. His death marked the end of the monarchy and the rise of the French Republic.Impact and Legacy of Louis XVI's Reign and Execution
The execution of Louis XVI sent shockwaves through France and the rest of Europe, leading to widespread conflict and the formation of counter-revolutionary movements. It also intensified the existing wars with European powers, who were now more determined to combat the revolutionary government. Historians continue to debate Louis XVI's role in the Revolution, with some attributing his downfall to personal inadequacies and others to the unstoppable tide of revolutionary ideas and economic forces that were beyond any monarch's control.Want to create maps from your material?
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1
Born in 1754, ______ became the heir apparent due to the premature passing of his father and older brother.
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2
In 1770, ______ married ______ to strengthen Franco-Austrian relations, but this union was unfavorably viewed by the French.
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3
Calonne's proposed reforms 1787
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4
Consequence of reform rejection
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5
Louis XVI's response to Parlement opposition
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6
Due to severe financial problems, ______ XVI called the - in May 1789, a gathering that hadn't been convened since ______.
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7
Significance of July 14, 1789
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8
Post-Bastille National Assembly actions
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9
In an attempt to flee from the revolutionary government's restrictions, ______ XVI and his family tried to escape to the ______ ______ in June 1791.
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10
The king's unsuccessful escape, referred to as the ______ to ______, led to their capture and subsequent return to ______.
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11
Outbreak of war with Austria - Date
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12
Louis XVI's trial - Convicting body
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13
Louis XVI's execution - Date and method
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14
The ______ of Louis XVI led to increased conflict and the creation of movements against the revolution.
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15
European nations became more resolved to fight the ______ government after Louis XVI's death.
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