Marie Antoinette

The French Revolution is a unit that many students find interesting because of the passion, violence, enlightenment ideals and finally the triumph of the third estate. This time period is not boring in the least. Divine ruler Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette's overspending and lavish lifestyle definitely impacted an already bankrupt and discontent nation. See why Carissa Hernandez finds Marie Antoinette so interesting. Mrs. Jordan

Historical Context:Marie Antoinette was married to King Louis XIV during the Age of Revolution, Industry and Empire. At this time kings were taking a very monarchial position and agriculture was becoming less and less common. With kings having greater power than before many were later influenced by their wives and followed what they said, while others had wives who remained as socialites and wandered carelessly around town. Marie Antoinette fit both of these characteristics, making her appear as though she is very light headed when in reality she had many deceivable plans.


Details: Marie Antoinette was born November 2, 1755 and ruled during
the Age of Revolution, Industry and Empire. She married King Louis XIV at the young age of fourteen and was loved by the people of France due to all of the extravagant parties she threw. However as time progressed she was soon hated by the people of France for many supposed scandals that occurred. She was said to be having an affair with a cardinal in order to gain wealth as well as an expensive necklace, this did not lead to either of what she had presumably hoped for and pamphlets were soon sent out screaming disgust about Antoinette. After this scandal occurred many other stories about Marie were coming out that she obtained jobs for her friends so that all the wealth could spread to her class rank rather than others. This led to many commoners to complain that there was no food available, not even bread, when told this statement Antoinette replied, “Let them eat cake.” As though cake could fix hunger issues in a day, this of course led to more hatred as well as the French Revolution.
When trying to escape the dreaded French Revolution Antoinette and her husband were captured and sent back to Paris where they were expected to remain for the rest of their lives. Marie would still not give up, she begged her brother to begin a crusades against France which he politely denied. Once the people of France discovered that she was going to backstab them they overthrew the monarchy and sent Antoinette to jail where she remained until her death. On October 14, 1793 she was tried and found guilty and on October 16, 1793 she was beheaded with her final words, "Monsieur, I beg your pardon,” After accidently stepping on the executioners feet.
Questions:
1.) Why do you think Marie Antoinette continuously reacted against what others wanted?
2.) Do you believe that Marie felt that what she was doing (only giving to the rich) was perfectly normal?

About our Blogger:
I am currently a sophomore, and enjoy acting and talking. I can probably carry a conversation for a few hours, but after twenty minutes most of the conversation will be complete nonsense. I chose to write about Marie Antoinette because although she made some very disgraceful acts in her life she was very brave. All of France disliked her and yet she still kept her head up and went along with whatever she felt like doing, no matter what the consequence. Which either proves that she was very careless or that she had a very strong will which never broke. Although a selfish woman her unawaring determination is an admirable character trait, for many to follow.