Louis XVI

Louis xvi and marie antoinette notesPlease use pages 14, 15 and 16 in you notebook to copy the following notes.King of France 1774-1791Louis XVI

1. Louis was an absolute monarch - means one ruler with all powerb. this type of government ruled for over 800 years in France

2. He had divine righta. the "God given" right to ruleb. was chosen by God as the successor

3. Took office at age 20

A. Becoming a Ruler

B. Why he was detested1. Frivolous spending - wasting $$ of Francea. Built lavish palaces (i.e. Versailles)b. entertainment expenses - food, theaterc. supported the American Revolution ($$)

2. Enforced an unfair social system (aka feudal)a. called the estate systemb. unfair land distributionc. unequal and very high taxesd. people have no voice in government

Louis XVI (continued)

3. Married Marie Antoinette...

Louis XVI (continued)

A. Her background1. Born November 2, 1755 in Vienna, Austriaa. named Maria Antoniab. the spoiled empressc. The 15th of 16 children in her family

2. Believed her destiny was to become Queen of Francea. married King Louis XVI at 15 years oldb. cemented alliance between France & Austriac. changed her name to sound FrenchMARIE ANTOINETTEQueen of France 1774-1791

B. Why she was detested1. Considered a foreigner by citizens2. Rumored to be an unfaithful wife3. Practiced immoral values4. Reported to do drugs/alcohol5. Threw extravagant parties6. Spent money frivolously (unwisely)a. Paid for dressmaker and beautician every dayb. Spent money on entertainment and the theaterc. Le Petit Trianon Little Villaged. Hired help/actors to work on farm like a real farmMARIE ANTOINETTE(Continued)

(Click on picture for video clip 2:27 min)

Rumors were spread about her...a. traitor-gave away military secrets through correspondence with Austria's ruler (her brother) to help deter a revolutionb. murder-she killed her oldest son?c. Was she a thief? Diamond Necklace Affair 17851. . Royal Courtier purchased necklace from a Parisian jeweler with an I.O.U. (on credit), never to be seen again! Is the Queen involved?e. An angry mob of women protest at the Palace of Versailles

MARIE ANTOINETTE(Continued)

The secret code phrase is Boat hair

You will need the secret code phrase to enter class on Thursday!Maid with the Flaxen HairRichard Stoltzman/Slovak Radio Symphony OrchestraFine Music, Vol. 1, track 22008Classical169700.17eng - Navona Records - Navona Records