Preview

What were the causes of the downfall of Louis XVI?

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2252 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What were the causes of the downfall of Louis XVI?
During 1780s to 1790s France was in total chaos. France was ruled by the Bourbon family King Louis XVI from 1754 to 1793, it was an absolute monarch and they had absolute power and did not share it with a legislature. The situation was already bad before Louis XVI began his reign, but situation got worse. In the end, there was a revolution in France and a vast amount changes to the society and the government of France. Louis XVI himself was executed and killed; while France was established as a democratic country. There were different reasons for Louis's downfall: social, economic, political conditions. Also reasons such as the Age of Enlightenment when some philosophers had new ideas of how the country should be ruled, the inequalities between estates, the bankruptcy of the government, the attitude and behaviour of Louis XVI, and the bad economic of France. All of these factors had caused the anger of the people. Although Louis XVI couldn't help with some of the cause that led to his downfall, he was partly responsible for his own destructions.

Louis's family caused the bankruptcy of the government, and his indecisiveness, his act of treason and his attempt to escape, were all the causes that led to his own downfall. The income of the government mainly came from heavy taxation on the citizens and several incidences led to the bankrupt of government. One of the main reasons was Louis and his family, mainly due to his wife, Marie Antoinette, who spent a lot of money in luxuries such as clothes, jewelry, and gambling. She even spent lots of money in creating beautiful gardens structured like a real peasant village around her palace, in which many people found it pointless and silly. (Brooman, 1992, p.15,16, 19) Louis, as a king, was a bad decision maker and couldn't control the government and his people. His characters were not suitable to be a king. He preferred the leisure life of a king, especially hunting, instead of attending assemblies and governing the



Bibliography: Books - Gilbert, Adrian, (1995) The French Revolution, England: Wayland (Publishers) LTD - Brooman, Josh, (1992), Revolution in France, England: Longman Group UK Limited - World Book 2002 F7 (2002) - Mantin, Peter. (1992) The French Revolution. Oxford: Heinemann Educational - Hetherton, Greg - Janowitz, Neil. (2006) SparkNote on the French Revolution (1789-1799). Retrieved 25 March, 2006 from . - Landry, Peter. (1997-2004). Blupete - Literature - Biographies - John Locke. Retrieved 25 March, 2006 from - Bok, Hilary - Kemerling, Garth. (1998-2002). Philosophypages - Enlightenment II - Rousseau - General Will. Retrieved 25 March, 2006 from

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Louis XIV strove vigorously for supremacy in foreign affairs. He was to use his foreign policy to establish a universal monarchy for himself or alternatively to use it to secure natural frontiers for France thus improving its defenses. He worked successfully to create an absolutist and centralized state. During his reign Louis was involved in four major wars, some of which Louis may be accountable as the provocateur; however, I believe that mainly his motives were purely defensive. The war of Devolution served as a pretext which nettled him part of Flanders, although the Dutch then moved against him with the Triple Alliance. Louis was determined to crush Holland and this began the third of the Dutch wars, which depleted his treasury. Louis proved an incredibly extravagant spender, dispensing huge sums of money to finance the royal court. The following ten years the king limited his policies to diplomacy. Louis continued the nobility's exemption from taxes but forced its member into financial dependence to the crown and the provincial nobles also lost political power. Louis does have a genuine concern for his country and despite his dubious methods he does manage to secure the territories that he wishes to secure. He curtailed local authorities and created specialized ministries. Louis's grandson retained the Spanish throne but the war of Spanish Succession left France in great debt and a weakened military. Louis used the bourgeoisie to build his centralized bureaucracy. He illustrated new administrative methods to make him more in control. Louis's general Colbert worked to improve the French economy. Colbert worked to create a favorable balance of trade and increase France's colonial holdings. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing and bringing the economy back from the brink of bankruptcy. He reduced the national debt through more efficient taxation. His principal taxation devices included the aides, the douanes, the…

    • 407 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Why Is Louis Xiv Effective

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages

    He lost four wages, on four wars. Because of that, France went into bankruptcy. France was at war for 30 years under the rule of Louis XIV. Louis XIV toughest war was the Spanish succession. His grandson inherited Spain, along with all of its possessions. He wanted to unite with him, which would give him other countries, islands and colonies to own. One of the main reasons why Louis XIV lost the wars he did was because of the balance of power. He was much more powerful than the countries he was about to go to war with, smartly, the European countries allied up with each other; balancing out the power between them and France. With the European powers allying to prevent Louis from uniting Spain and France together, they overpowered France. Louis agreed to the Peace of Utrecht; Spain and France crowns could never unite, giving the allied Europeans what they wanted. If Louis had won, he would have control of Spain’s Territories; of other small countries and American colonies. Putting in a great amount of money and losing the wars was not something Louis had intended, because of this, France was greatly in…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    French Revolution Dbq

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    King Louis XVI was in power during the revolution, he was thrown into this position when King Louis XV attempted to flee the country. Extravagant spending by the king’s father left the country on the brink of bankruptcy. Unrest among the peasants knowing there situation, were not willing to support the feudal system any longer. When the three states assembled, they imposed heavy tax increases, which were approved by Nobility and Clergy. This left the country in flames, while the taxes did not provide relief, the French Revolution was created.…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In tackling this question it should first be asserted that these dates are commonly known to be the end of the Middles Ages (1500) and the beginning of the French Revolution (1789.) To determine whether this period characterises the term ‘early modern’, it must be more substantial than a set of dates, factors of a imperial, cultural, religious, political and economic nature must be investigated. This will discern if Europe underwent a period of “modernisation.” Moreover they must be assessed in a broader context to conclude how much change happened different to the Middle Ages and how much they shaped the future.…

    • 1911 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    ← Doyle, William. The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. 2001…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I believe several factors, such as Feudalism, unfair taxes, years of oppression, inequality in the French society, the bad harvest of the summer of 1788 and the increasing economic crises contributed and lit the fuse of the French revolution. The calling of the Estates-General in May 1789 was aimed to solve the economic crises, however mistreatment of the lower classes for centuries led to them wanting change. This event led to the Tennis Court Oath, in which the lower classes, who were represented by the third Estate declared themselves a National Constituent Assembly. This could be seen as the start of the French revolution, as it is the first time that Louis is not in full control and gives away part of his power to the population. Furthermore the increasing economic hardship led to anti-government feelings among the population and a rise in popularity towards the popular movement.…

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prior to the revolution, France was going into turmoil due to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette's spending habits. King…

    • 919 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis XIV, also known as Le Gran Monarque and the Sun God, was not indeed such a good king for France. The reign of Louis XIV was hurtful in many ways to France and its people. First of all, Louis XIV financially destroyed France by doing things that he thought would help but just hurt France in the long run. Louis was constantly at war with another country, which not only hurt France financially, because wars were very expensive during that time, but it also depleted France¡¯s once massive army. He also persecuted the Huguenots and fifty thousand of them fled from France, many of them skilled and very well educated, which also hurt France. It seemed as if the way Louis XIV ruled France was to mainly help himself, and if he did want to make France greater, he failed to do so throughout his reign.…

    • 986 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    World History: Louis Xiv

    • 6350 Words
    • 26 Pages

    Louis XIV, France's Sun King, had the longest reign in European history (1643-1715). During this time he brought absolute monarchy to its height, established a glittering court at Versailles, and fought most of the other European countries in four wars. The early part of his reign (1643-61), while Louis was young, was dominated by the chief minister Cardinal Mazarin. In the middle period (1661-85) Louis reigned personally and innovatively, but the last years of his personal rule (1685-1715) were beset by problems.…

    • 6350 Words
    • 26 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    King Louis Xiv

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages

    King Louis XIV is a violent, self-centered villain who manipulates others for his personal gain. He was quick to shed blood, no matter what the cost. Although he expanded France’s borders by conquering countries with his royal army, his methods led to many unnecessary deaths. During his reign, three out of every five years were spent in war. (Popkin Par.3) King Louis XIV’s reign was full of unnecessary violence.…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    King Louis XVI took power when his father, who was the previous ruler, died. Many people did not agree with this because he as a young man at the time and had no experience running a country. King Louis XVI enjoyed the riches that came with being King but he did not have any experience and made random decisions that hurt the common people of the country which made France a target for other countries. King Louis XVI did not know what he was doing, obviously, but he controlled everything. The French people had no say in how their country was ran because the King paid no attention to them. France wanted him executed. Document F shows an image of when King Louis XVI was killed by the guillotine. The image also shows Maximilien Robespierre, another inspiring figure of the American Revolution, holding the king’s head while everybody else was happy and laughing as it was an enjoyable event. This event happened on January 21, 1793 long after King Louis XVI started ruling, so France was still incredibly poor.…

    • 645 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The late 1700's were a period of great social and political revolution in Western civilization. The French Revolution was a major part of this sweeping change in the way Europeans (and the newborn Americans) perceived the function of government and the most effective ways of governing. The French Revolution had many long term and short term causes and effects, and was one of the most violent periods in the history of the country. There were many factors that contributed to the spark of the revolution. There were three main causes of the French Revolution: gross mishandling of governing duties and incompetence in the leadership of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the large and very unjust social and economic gap between the first two privileged estates and the poor third estate, and finally the revolutionary ideas of the enlightenment and their influence on the philosophies of the people.…

    • 1094 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Locke, J. and Laslett, P. (1988) Locke: Two Treatises of Government. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.…

    • 3361 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    French Revolution Essay

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The world has seen many revolutions in history. One of the biggest revolutions was the French Revolution because it came with many consequences and influences. Nothing else like this had ever happened this powerful to change the political status quo. Many people surprisingly don’t know how the French Revolution started but through this paper we will be learning more about it. Starting in 1789 through 1794 the people of France dethroned and arrested their king Louis XVI, took apart his monarchy, and executed him, his wife, and thousands of nobles. The French people then set up a new system of government on concepts of popular rule, personal liberty, and equal justice for all to replace their old leaders. This was a new start for France and would hopefully put them in the position they wanted to be in as a country.…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When Louis XVIII came to power, the economy was strong, and this was therefore good and positive for his reign. Louis XVIII did not squander the advantages he possessed. By supporting capable ministers, especially his favourite, Elie Decazes, he ensured the governments finance was on a firm footing. With the war fees paid off by 1818 & foreign troops withdrawn, the country was able to settle down after the costly glory of Napoleonic era. In fact under Louis…

    • 977 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays