Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution
Marie Antoinette & the French Revolution
The French revolution began in 1789 it was a time of radical, social and political change that impacted upon all of Europe. Destroying the monarchy that had ruled France for centuries within three years. The royal family were jailed and killed, the Queen Marie Antoinette who was surrounded by controversy and blame did not disserve the guillotine.
Louis xvi ruling of France was customary not written, he was considered to be an indecisive, unpopular weak king, who would have preferred hunting and shooting rather than reigning a nation. He married his wife Marie Antoinette in 1970 at the age of 15. Four years later with his father’s death they became king and queen of a country that was left to them in a financial crisis. They were both young and inexperienced to take the throne so the High court that had only been able to register decrees, now assumed more rights and charges, while marie was given no political infiuence. The Revolution was due to these things and more, the persecution of religious minorities, the unequal taxes, government interference, debt, financial bankruptcy and the scarcity of food.
France was a country riddled with an unsustainable economy, since 1614 the French monarchy had operated without laws, kings managed there financial affairs by increasing taxes, borrowing money and sometimes selling noble titles. So by the time Louis the xvi came to the throne his father and the previous many kings left the country indebted and bankrupt. So the taxes were relied on to keep the country stable, however these taxes were taken unequally. For it was constructed by private collectors who were permitted to raise far more than the government requested. This system excluded nobles and clergy from paying, thus taxes were paid by peasants, wage earners and business class. France was not a trading nation that is why is why it was dependent on taxes and the kings need for money became immense as to carry
The French revolution began in 1789 it was a time of radical, social and political change that impacted upon all of Europe. Destroying the monarchy that had ruled France for centuries within three years. The royal family were jailed and killed, the Queen Marie Antoinette who was surrounded by controversy and blame did not disserve the guillotine.
Louis xvi ruling of France was customary not written, he was considered to be an indecisive, unpopular weak king, who would have preferred hunting and shooting rather than reigning a nation. He married his wife Marie Antoinette in 1970 at the age of 15. Four years later with his father’s death they became king and queen of a country that was left to them in a financial crisis. They were both young and inexperienced to take the throne so the High court that had only been able to register decrees, now assumed more rights and charges, while marie was given no political infiuence. The Revolution was due to these things and more, the persecution of religious minorities, the unequal taxes, government interference, debt, financial bankruptcy and the scarcity of food.
France was a country riddled with an unsustainable economy, since 1614 the French monarchy had operated without laws, kings managed there financial affairs by increasing taxes, borrowing money and sometimes selling noble titles. So by the time Louis the xvi came to the throne his father and the previous many kings left the country indebted and bankrupt. So the taxes were relied on to keep the country stable, however these taxes were taken unequally. For it was constructed by private collectors who were permitted to raise far more than the government requested. This system excluded nobles and clergy from paying, thus taxes were paid by peasants, wage earners and business class. France was not a trading nation that is why is why it was dependent on taxes and the kings need for money became immense as to carry