Social Studies 9-Marie Anotinette and King Louis

Who was King Louis XVI?

• Born August 1754 as Louis-Auguste, duc de Berry (duke of…)

• Never meant to be King: third in line to King Louis XV, Father died in 1765, older brother died in 1761

• Because of this, Louis was often ignored as a child: shy and intelligent

• Upon his father’s death, he became the Dauphin (next king) of France at 11 years old

• Mother died in 1767 and Louis was cared for by members of royal court

Who was Marie Antoinette?

• Born November 1755 in Vienna, Austria

• 15th of 16 children

• Father: Francis I (holy roman emperor)

• Mother: Maria Theresa (empress of austria)

• Not close with her mother

• Father died in 1765

• Loved the arts-musician, singer, dancer

What was the Franco-Austrian Alliance?

• France and Austria had been historic enemies and needed to make an alliance

• Empress Marie Theresa betrothed Maria Antonia to King Louis’ XV grandson, Louis Auguste

• Planned in 1756: Louis was 2, Maria was 1

Marriage of Dauphin Louis and Marie Antoinette

• Married May 16, 1770: Marie was 14, Louis was 15

• Marie was unfamiliar with many of the rituals of French royalty

How did French people react to Marie Antoinette?

• Accepted and celebrated her

• Did not forget she was from Austria

• expected an heir to the throne

Death of King Louis XV.

• Died of smallpox May 10, 1774 (Died unpopular because he spent lots of money)

• Famous quote Apres nous, le deluge (After us, the flood)

What was France’s situation when King Louis XV died?

• Weak monarchy

• Parlements challenged royal authority

• Growing debt

• Social Inequality

• Influence of enlightenment thinkers increasing

Ascension of King Louis XVI

• Dauphin Louis-Auguste because King Louis XVI at 19 years

• Marie Antoinette became queen at 18 years

• Louis XVI’s reaction: “My God, guide us and protect us; we are too young to ascend to the throne” (shows he felt unprepared and overwhelmed)

Explain what happened to bread in France?

• France experienced several years of bad weather leading up to 1775

• September 1774, France decided to lift price controls on grain (charge however much they want)

• Unfortunately, this happened at the same time of a poor harvest

• Resulted in low grain reserves and by the spring of 1775, very high grain prices making bread expensive

• Rioting began in the spring of 1775 which was called the flour wars

Why did people criticize Marie Antoinette for her fasion?

• Wigs were getting bigger and bigger

• Often powdered with flour despite the French commoners starving and a bread shortage in France

• Dresses were elaborate

• Rumoured to have between 200-300 dresses/year

• Because she was a trend setter, the noble women followed her fashion

What was the petit Trianon (A small elegant villa)

• Originally built by Louis XV for his mistress, Madame de Pompadour but she died before it was completed, then completed it for another mistress: Madame du Barry

• When King Louis XVI took the throne, he gifted the Petit Trianon to Marie Antoinette as her escape from the ceremony of Versailles

• She hosted many lavish parties there with gambling, loud music

• She added the Hameau de la Reine or the Queen’s Hamlet: Pretend farm

• Small working farm with animals, dairy, gardens and housing

• Use to host small, informal, gatherings

• Relax and go for walks

• Educate the royal children of rural life

• Some felt she was mocking the working farmers

What is the affair of the diamond necklace?

• A diamond necklace worth 2 mil livres: 24 mil CAD

• Originally made by Louis XV, for Madame de Pompedure but she died before it was completed, then decided it would be for Madame du Barry but he died before it was complete

• The jeweller asked Louis XVI to purchase for Marie but he said no

• Cardinal de Rotian, who had a mistress Jeanne la Valois Saint Remy fell out of the Queen’s graces. He desperately wanted to get back into her good side

• Marie Antoinette was accused of sending letters to the Cardinal and asking him to buy the necklace in secret because of her public image of spending

• Letters were actually written by the Cardinal’s mistress, who was then sentenced to life in prison, the Cardinal branded fool, and Marie was cleared of wrongdoing but public image was damaged

Rumours and Scandals about the Queen.

• Marie Antoinette’s reputation within France was damaged badly by gossip

• Pamphlets circulated throughout France with lies and gossip, targeting Marie but also extended to Royal Family

• Pamphlets had disrespectful illustrations about intimate affairs and children not being King Louis XVI’s

• Let them eat cake: quoted saying this to a response about French not having enough bread but she never said it

• “Austrian spy” giving away French secrets

Why did the committee of public safety pass the decree against profiteers?