The French Revolution

Marie Antionette
Belle OHara

What caused the Revolution?

There are 3 main reasons for the revolution against the monarchy:
Resentment against the king and queen
Debt
Food shortage

Resentment against the monarchy

In 1789 monarchies were extremely unpopular form of government
Monarchies had kings and queens that ruled over the peasants, who were usually very
poor.
The middle class was growing, making more people poor and not enough jobs to help
pay them.
Many of the middle class also were gaining thoughts of equality and freedom to
individuals.
they had the American Revolution as an example of gaining freedom.
They pushed for more freedom of speech, they challenged the catholic church, and
attacked the undemocratic natures of the government.

Debt
Since 1614 the country would solve being in debt by raising the taxes unfairly and
unequally, borrowing money, or selling noble titles and other privileges.
This tactic led to a financial and economic crisis in the French government at the eve
of the Revolution.
They were in deep debt, close to bankruptcy, because of the Kings expensive
consumptions like the Versailles, the Seven Year War, and the American War of
Independence.
With the debt France was in, they werent able to help the people get food or money,
but instead spent it on the royal wedding, and extravagant gowns for the queen, and
banquets for the king.

Food Shortage

In the 1780s there was a great scarcity in food caused by crop failures.
Since there was limited crops, the bread price went up, causing mobs of people
viciously attacking others in an attempt to grab bread for their families.
The poor conditions of the country side forced many to move into the city of Paris,
which was filled with hungry, poor, and rebellious peasants, who would be later
planning the greatest revolution of the country.

Marie Antionette Early Life

Marie was born November 2, 1755 in Vienna, Austria.
Her mother was the empress and her father was the emperor of Austria.
She grew up with a normal childhood, receiving education of a typical girl in the 18 th
century. It focused mainly on religious and moral principles.
With the end of the Seven Years War in 1763 keeping the fragile alliance between
Austria and France became a priority for Maries mother, and keeping alliances
through marriage was common throughout European families at the time.
In 1765, Louis Ferdinand, son of Louis XV, died leaving the monarchy to his 11-yearold grandson, Louis-Auguste.
Within months the Marie and Louis were pledged to marry each other.

Maries Marriage
Marie was very beautiful, and only 14 years old when she set out for France to get married
to Louis.
She was escorted by 57 carriages, 117 footmen, and 376 horses in May 1770.
Marie and Louis married on May 16, 1770.
Marie was very uncomfortable with her new husband and felt very homesick and wrote to
her family often.
Louis and Marie were very different, she was outgoing, while he was more shy. Marie would
party at night and wake up a little bit before noon, while Louis would already be at work for
hours.
When her mother found out that they did not have any children she immediately sent
Maries brother over to marriage counsel the couple. A year later she gave birth to a
daughter, Marie Therese Charlotte.

Marie During the Revolution

When the French Revolution began, Marie was already hated by the people from
countless crimes and accusations made about her.
After her husband was placed on trial and put to death, in October 1793 Marie was
put under trial for treason, theft, and even a false charge of sexual abuse against her
own child.
After a 2-day trial she was claimed guilty by an all-male jury.
She was sent to the guillotine to suffer the same fate as her husband. On October 16,
1793, the last queen of France was dead.