Marie antoinette victim of the revolution reformation. The folklore surrounding marie antoinette is a construct of libels, exaggerations and fictions. And when the french revolution broke out in 1789, it was antoinette that gathered her advisors, made decisions and sent letters to other european monarchs asking for assistance. The storming of the bastille on 14 july 1789 was a key moment of the french revolution. Her name is associated with the decline in the moral authority of the french monarchy in the. The tragic tale of marie antoinettes death during the french revolution is the stuff of legend.
Marie antoinette was the last queen of france before the french revolution. Though it spells out the events of her life similar to other biographies, the politics and the happenings of the revolution are brought to light more. The french revolution would tear france and marie s family apart, leading to the deaths of louis, marie and their son, and leave their sole surviving child to cope with the trauma and. Marie antoinette with the kings younger brother, the count dartois, as. Marie antoinettes ambiguous attitude at the outbreak of the french revolution she seemed uncertain whether to run away or seek reconciliation accelerated. This biography of marie antoinette provides detailed information about her childhood and life. Descended from the hapsburg line, she was born into royalty in austria. Marieantoinette not only had a passion for her country of birth, but her adopted country as well, and was keen to strengthen ties between the. To say that the political pornography of marie antoinette caused the french revolution is far too bold an assertion, but to say it played a trivial role is perhaps too meek. The tuileries, 20th june 1792 late september sunlight filters onto the blue velvet. November 2, 1755october 16, 1793 was the queen of france, executed by guillotine during the french revolution. After the outbreak of the french revolution in 1789, the royal family was forced to live under the supervision of revolutionary authorities.
She was the youngest daughter of emperor francis i and. A captivating guide to the last queen of france before and during the french revolution, including her relationship with king louis xvi few historical events are as greatly revered and entirely misunderstood as the french revolution that began in 1789. The french revolution would tear france and maries family apart, leading to the deaths of louis, marie and their son, and leave their sole surviving child to. Marie antoinette became a queen as a pawn, a child bride at 14 paired with a 15yearold dauphin to seal the union between two countries that had previously been at odds. Queen of france before the french revolution, marie antoinette 175593 is famous for being overthrown by revolutionaries and being. Marie antoinette was the archduchess of austria, and became dauphine of france after several years. From from august 1792 until december 1795, marie therese was locked up in the tower, forced to watch her family members been taken away one by one. Her actions during the french revolution contributed to the.
Thomas jefferson supposedly said that if not for marie antoinette, there might have been no french revolution. She has become a villainous scapegoat for the french revolution when evidence suggests she was mostly innocent of the allegations made against her. How bread shortages helped ignite the french revolution. Why was so important to marie antoinette the consummation of her marriage. Was marie antoinette in the french revolution answers. Archduchess maria amalia of austria, archduchess maria anna, archduchess maria carolina of austria.
Queen of france 17551793 french revolution posters. Marie antoinette was the queen of france and navarre from 1774 to 1792. The last queen of france who was beheaded during the french revolution. The phrase was first attributed to marie antoinette in 1789, supposedly having been uttered during one of the famines that occurred in france during the reign of her husband, louis xvi. Detestably nicknamed madame deficit by the public and her enemies at court, marie antoinettes lavish lifestyle symbolized the unchecked extravagance of the french elite and led to her gruesome beheading.
Marie antoinette biography childhood, life achievements. She is most known for supposedly saying let them eat cake, although the french quote translates more precisely as, let them eat brioche, and there. Being overthrown by french revolutionaries and being publicly guillotined after the abolition of the monarchy. Role of marie antoinette during the french revolution learnodo. A captivating guide to the last queen of france before and during the french revolution, including her relationship with king louis xvi. Some of the people said that she was not a serious problem for forming the french revolution. To be sure, there were ongoing economic and political forces before 1789, which continued to play out as the revolution unfolded. Her name is associated with the decline in the moral authority of the french monarchy in the closing years of the ancien regime. Dec 09, 2019 marie antoinette and the french revolution meanwhile, the nobility including the kings brother, the count of provence, and his cousin, the count of orleans became disgruntled with louis xvis attitude towards pressing governmental matters. Marie antoinette soon came to be the leading example of fashion in versailles, outshining all the other women at court. November 2, 1755october 16, 1793 was an austrian noble and french queen consort whose position as a hate figure for much of france helped contribute to the events of the french revolution, during which she was executed. Asked in french revolution, monarchy, marie antoinette. But while the story of marie antoinette ends with her.
Marie antoinette was the queen of france during the french revolution. Since the revolution, the monarchist club, whose body and soul is antoinette, have been continually at it. After six weeks detention in the conciergerie, the queen was summoned to confront her judges. Marie antoinette s influence on the french revolution. Marie antoinette helped provoke the popular unrest that led to the french revolution and to the overthrow of the monarchy in august 1792. It is said that she instantly became attracted to him. Marie antoinette s influence on the french revolution bartleby. The french revolution was obviously caused by a multitude of grievances more complicated than the price of bread, but bread shortages played a role in stoking anger toward the monarchy. Some citizens blamed on her that she was one of the reason to cause the french revolution. The last queen of france piatkus, 2006 warren roberts, jane austen and the french revolution first published 1979. Dec 18, 2017 lets explore the life of marie antoinettethe woman who was the face of royal excess during the french revolution.
Marie antoinette, queen executed in french revolution. Describe the character of louis xvi, as portrayed in the. Marie antoinette and the french revolution william nuitter. Marie antoinette being taken to her execution, 1794 by william hamilton 17511801. She is the only one of the children of marie antoinette that would survive the french revolution. Because cake is more expensive than bread, the anecdote has been cited as an example of marie. Marieantoinette, queen consort of king louis xvi of france. Marie antoinette, queen consort of king louis xvi of france. The last queen of france who was beheaded during the french revolution biography.
Many french citizens dislike her because of her behaviors. Queen marie antoinette was the last queen of france before the french revolution took down the monarchy. The storming of the bastille, after a painting by henry singleton, stipple engraving, 1. To make up for the lack of affection from her awkward husband and the endless criticisms from her mother, marie antoinette began to throw herself wholeheartedly into shopping and partying. She became dauphine of france in may 1770 at age 14 upon her marriage to louisauguste, heir apparent to the french throne. But while the story of marie antoinette ends with her beheading in 1793, the tragedy of her family. If marieantoinette did not cause the french revolution, her declining reputation and often unwise decisions certainly helped discredit the old regime and made its replacement seem necessary for the salvation of the nation. Oct 18, 2019 the french revolution would tear france and maries family apart, leading to the deaths of louis, marie and their son, and leave their sole surviving child to cope with the trauma and. As queen of france, marie antoinette had no official role and no legitimate political power her main job was to produce a male heir to.
Upon hearing this news, marie antoinette is said to have. Marie antoinette secretly requested help from other european rulers, including her royal siblings in austria and naples. Role of marie antoinette during the french revolution. Know about the events that led to her execution during the revolution. Was marie antoinette a cause of the french revolution or. One of the most widely known figures of the french revolution, marieantoinette was an austrian princess who married the man who later became louis xvi of france. What role did marie antoinette play in the french revolution.
The mob reformed beneath a balcony and their voices rose. Her actions during the french revolution contributed to the overthrow of the monarchy in august 1792. The tragic tale of marie antoinette s death during the french revolution is the stuff of legend. Though now inextricably linked with france, antoinette wasnt a native of the country. Marie is unimpressed with the kings flaccid member. As the story goes, it was the queens response upon being told that her starving peasant subjects had no bread. The story goes that the people of france were starving. Still, in a symbolic gesture signaling the end of the era of european monarchs, antoinette was convicted of treason and executed at the guillotine on october 16, 1793. Jul 14, 2010 the tragic tale of marie antoinette s death during the french revolution is the stuff of legend. Although antimonarchists never cited the anecdote during the french revolution, it acquired great symbolic importance in subsequent historical accounts when. Regardless of whether he really said that as the careful reader might wonder, there.
Apr 04, 2014 to say that the political pornography of marie antoinette caused the french revolution is far too bold an assertion, but to say it played a trivial role is perhaps too meek. Like the marriage, the coronation of louis xvi was greeted warmly by the fr. In fact, the nations difficulties were not the young queens fault. Marie antoinette was involved in numerous scandals leading up to the french revolution. Biography of marieantoinette, french queen consort thoughtco. This famous phrase is infamously attributed to marie antoinette, queen of france during the french revolution. Marie antoinette and the french revolution meanwhile, the nobility including the kings brother, the count of provence, and his cousin, the count of orleans became disgruntled with louis xvis attitude towards pressing governmental matters. Marie antoinette s influence on the french revolution 1417 words 6 pages in 1755, josephe jeanne marieantoinette was born as the daughter of empress maria theresa. She was the youngest daughter of emperor francis i and empress maria theresa. Marie antoinette began life as an austrian princess, the 16th child of empress maria theresa.
On the night of june 20, 1791, the royal family attempted to flee. The pornographic propaganda that was used against marie. History channel documentary the french revolution youtube. World war two 1945 the wheelchair president b05vlzsn default. His death left the kings 11yearold grandson, louis. As the queen, she was against the revolution and did not support the revolt of her people. Let them eat cake is the most famous quote attributed to marieantoinette, the queen of france during the french revolution. She was born an archduchess of austria and was the penultimate child and youngest daughter of empress maria theresa and francis i, holy roman emperor. Louis was indecisive about how to rectify the growing government debt, and was hesitant in. As queen of france, marie antoinette had no official role and no legitimate political power her main job was to produce a male heir to continue her husbands royal line. A poor crop harvest, rodents and a whole number of other factors led to an enormous bread shortage.
Marie had fled, barefoot and half naked, to the kings bedchamber, barely escaping with her life. A captivating guide to the tenyear revolution in france and the impact made by napoleon bonaparte. Marie antoinette was born in vienna, austria on november 2, 1755. Describe the handing off ceremony when marie antoinette leaves her country and enters france. Marie antoinette did not help the french revolution. Eighteenthcentury colonial warsparticularly the american revolution, in which.
1114 1345 1318 499 737 1413 718 831 1231 171 702 273 4 378 679 509 1244 985 708 285 805 1204 218 645 712 517 532 1248 1431 167 40 1313 522 1368 226 1311 961 346 84 865 1296 1004 541