Member-only story

Louis XVI: The French Monarch Deposed by the French Revolution

Chuck Mitchell

·17k Followers· Follow

Published in Louis XVI And The French Revolution

4 min read

726 View Claps

84 Respond

Save

Listen

Louis XVI, born Louis-Auguste, was the last king of France before the French Revolution. He reigned from 1774 until his deposition in 1792. During his reign, France underwent profound political, social, and economic changes that ultimately led to the revolution.

Early Life and Accession

Louis XVI was born on August 23, 1754, in the Palace of Versailles. He was the third son of Louis XV and Marie Josèphe of Saxony. In 1765, the death of his father and older brothers made him dauphin, the heir to the throne. In 1770, he married Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria.

Louis XVI and the French Revolution

by Alison Johnson

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1109 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	236 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Louis XVI inherited a kingdom that was in financial crisis. The government was heavily indebted, and the gap between the rich and the poor was widening. Louis XVI attempted to implement reforms, but his efforts were hindered by the conservative French nobility and the inefficiencies of the French government.

The Outbreak of the Revolution

In 1789, a financial crisis forced Louis XVI to summon the Estates-General, a body representing the three estates of the realm: the nobility, the clergy, and the commoners. The commoners, known as the Third Estate, demanded that they be granted a greater voice in the government. This demand was rejected by the nobility and the clergy, leading to a deadlock.

On July 14, 1789, a mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a prison that symbolized royal authority. This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Louis XVI was forced to accept the establishment of a National Assembly, which began to enact a series of reforms that would ultimately strip him of his power.

The King's Flight and Execution

As the revolution progressed, Louis XVI found himself increasingly isolated. In 1791, he attempted to flee France with his family, but he was captured and returned to Paris. This attempt to escape damaged his credibility and further alienated him from the revolutionaries.

On January 21, 1793, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in the Place de la Révolution. His execution was a watershed moment in the revolution, marking the end of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic.

Legacy

Louis XVI was a complex and controversial figure. He was a weak and indecisive ruler who was ultimately unable to control the events that led to the French Revolution. However, he was also a man of good intentions who genuinely wanted to improve the lives of his people. His execution was a turning point in the revolution, and its legacy continues to be debated today.

Louis XVI was the last king of France before the French Revolution. His reign was marked by political, social, and economic upheaval that ultimately led to his deposition and execution. His life and death provide a fascinating glimpse into one of the most transformative periods in world history.

Louis XVI and the French Revolution

by Alison Johnson

4.5 out of 5