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  • Louis XVI accedes to the throne of France, May 10 1774


    Beatriz Camino
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    Louis XVI accedes to the throne of France, May 10 1774

    Louis XVI (August 23, 1754–January 21, 1793) was the last king of France before the French Revolution. His failure to rule effectively and compromise led to his execution and the proclamation of the new republic.

    Early Life

    Louis XVI was born on August 23, 1754, in the Palace of Versailles, France. He was the second son of the Dauphin Louis and Marie-Josephe of Saxony. When Louis was only 11 years old, his father passed away, making him the rightful successor to the French throne. His early life was marked by his education and preparation for ruling. However, he had a reputation for being indecisive and easily influenced by others. This would later become a major problem during his reign.

    After the death of his mother in 1767, Louis became an orphan and developed a strong bond with his grandfather Louis XV, who was the reigning king. At age 15 in 1770, he married Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, in an effort to cement an alliance between France and Austria. During the initial years of their marriage, Marie Antoinette was largely held responsible by the public for not having children.

    His Reign

    Louis XVI ascended to the throne in 1774 at the age of 19, following the death of Louis XV. In the early years of his reign, Louis made a concerted effort to study the reign of Charles I, the English king who was executed by his parliament. He then reinstated the role of the French parliament, which had been diminished by his predecessor. Though this move was well-received by the public, it ultimately hindered his power. In fact, some historians believe that it contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution.

    One of Louis' first major acts as king was to support the American Revolution against Great Britain, France’s long-time enemy. However, the country’s involvement in the war added to its already substantial debt and strained its resources. The collapse of the traditional relationship between the king and the parliament led to Louis being forced to call an Assembly of Notables in order to implement fiscal reforms that would prevent France from going bankrupt.

    Moreover, Louis planned to transform France into a constitutional monarchy but faced resistance from the Assembly of Notables. Consequently, he decided to convene an Estates-General, which soon turned revolutionary. By the time proposals were presented to the Estates, they had already formed into a National Assembly. Unfortunately, Louis failed to accurately gauge and satisfy the radicalized Estates, displaying inconsistency in his vision and responding too late.

    Despite this, Louis managed to publicly embrace advancements such as the "Declaration of the Rights of Man," and his popularity grew when it became clear that he was willing to take on a new role. However, as resentment towards him intensified, he had to relocate to Paris, where he was imprisoned. He then made the mistake of attempting to flee to safety on June 21, 1791, but was caught and brought back to Paris, where he was forced to accept a constitution.

    In April of 1792, the Legislative Assembly of France, newly elected, declared a pre-emptive war against Austria. This was due to suspicions that the latter was forming anti-revolutionary alliances with French expatriates. Louis, who was already viewed by the French public as an enemy, was forced into more vetoes until the declaration of the French Republic. As a consequence, the king and his family were arrested and imprisoned.

    Death and Legacy

    Louis faced even greater danger when hidden documents were uncovered at the Tuileries palace, where he had been imprisoned. These papers were used by his enemies to accuse him of participating in counter-revolutionary actions, leading to his trial. He was then found guilty and condemned to death. Louis was beheaded by the guillotine on January 21, 1793. His death marked the end of the Bourbon monarchy in France and the beginning of the French Republic. The execution was a highly controversial event, with many in France and around Europe condemning it as barbaric.

    Louis XVI's legacy is a complex one. He is often remembered as a weak and ineffective ruler who was unable to address the problems facing France during his reign. However, he was also a product of his time and the political and social circumstances of 18th-century France. His attempts at reform were genuine, but they were ultimately unsuccessful.

     

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