Marie Antoinette: From Archduchess to Queen and the French Revolution
Early Life and Family
Born Maria Antonia Josefa Johanna on 11/02/1755 in Vienna to Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa.
Second to last of 16 children; birth not highly celebrated.
Mother, Maria Theresa, was a strong, skilled ruler.
Betrothal and Political Context
Betrothed at six months to Louis Auguste, Duke de Berry, to solidify Austria-France alliance.
Marriage formally agreed upon at ages 12 and 13.
Inauspicious Beginnings
Born on All Souls' Day; major earthquake in Lisbon on same day added to ill omens.
Childhood
Relatively happy childhood; close to sister Charlotte and brother Joseph.
Maria Theresa balanced family and imperial duties.
Arranged children's marriages for Austrian Empire's benefit (Habsburg motto).
Critical of children, including Antoine.
Family Dynamics
Francis I enjoyed amusements, managed finances; warm to children.
Family resided at Hofburg Palace (winter) and Schonbrunn Palace (summer).
Austrian Habsburgs maintained distinction between public and private life.
Education and Arts
Exposed to musicians, composers, dancers; excelled in dancing, music.
Not a strong academic student; struggled with literacy.
Linguistic challenges included German accent in French.
Tragedy and Loss
Family faced smallpox outbreaks; siblings died.
Emperor Francis I died suddenly in 1765.
Farewell to Austria
In April 1770, 14-year-old Antoine bid farewell to family and Austria.
Underwent symbolic change of attire at border, becoming Marie Antoinette.
Marriage at Versailles
Married Louis Auguste de Bourbon on 05/18/1770 at Versailles.
Faced challenges; alienated figures, distrust due to Austrian ties.
Louis Auguste wary of alliance and bride.
Personal Differences
Vastly different personalities; she was lively, he was shy.
Louis loved reading, she did not.
Marriage not consummated for seven years, causing public concern.
Criticism and Extravagance
Maria Theresa criticized Marie Antoinette for extravagance and failure to consummate marriage.
Lavish tastes compensated for emotional distance.
Louis XVI ascended throne in 1774.
Queen of France
Initially popular, but extravagance led to criticism (Madame Deficit).
Louis gifted her Le Petit Trianon.
Intervention and Consummation
Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II visited in 1777, discussed Louis's sexual problems.
Marriage consummated shortly after; daughter born in 1778.
Social and Political Turmoil
France faced economic pressure, civil unrest.
Enlightenment ideas challenged monarchy.
Marie Antoinette had three more children.
Declining Reputation
Public reputations declined; Louis seen as weak, Marie Antoinette as domineering.
Scandal sheets lampooned them; affair with Count Axel von Fersen.
Life at Le Petit Trianon
Activities at Le Petit Trianon damaged reputation; actions seen as ignorant.
Political Intrigue and Disaster
Marie Antoinette played a more active role in politics.
Between 1787 and 1789, economic and public relations disasters pushed France to brink.
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace
Scandal damaged her reputation when the cardinal was found not guilty.
Deteriorating Health and Political Involvement
Louis XVI's health declined; Marie Antoinette more involved in politics.
Estates General called, failed to achieve consensus.
Dauphin died in 1789.
Revolution Ignites
Third Estate declared National Assembly.
Marie Antoinette moved troops, leading to riots.
Bastille stormed, marking start of French Revolution.
March on Versailles
Parisian women marched on Versailles, demanding bread.
Royal family forced to move to Tuileries Palace in Paris.
Imprisonment and Desperation
Marie Antoinette sought escape routes and hoped to regain power.
Radicalization and Failed Escape
Royal family attempted to escape in 1791 but were recognized and escorted back to Paris.
Trial and Execution
Revolution radicalized; France declared war on Austria.
Monarchy abolished; royal family moved to Temple fortress.
Louis XVI executed in January