King Louis Xvi Diary

Dear representatives of the National Convention,
I am Marie-Jeanne Lorette, wife to a merchant trying to make a living. My husband has recently told me about the chaos and commotion stirring due to the recent happenings such as the beginning of the revolution and beheading of King Louis XIV. As a concerned French citizen, I am baffled with these occurrences and I’m searching for answers as to what will be coming up for the future of our community. I fear that in this revolution we will loose ourselves the same way our previous king, Louis XVI, attempted to betray us. His execution was the right move, but will happen to us during this frightful time between all this mess of the revolution.
In his selfish attempts to have safety and absolute power, Louis XVI, committed treason and seemed to forget his people. I ask myself, how do I truly define treason when it comes to our former king. Upon much thought I've come to the conclusion that treason committed by King Louis XVI can be described as betrayal and a failure of leadership. He swore to oblige with the new set of laws and constitution, but he failed to do so. He betrayed his country and people, by aiding our enemy, Austria, into overthrowing the new regime and constitution. He knew that by doing this he would
have a chance to have his old life back and all the luxuries him and his family desired.
I am fed up watching my friends and families be destroyed and torn apart because of this revolution. I am going to be bluntly honest with you and just say that I truly believe that if it wasn’t for Louis XVI we might not even be in this mess. Because of him this country has entered into a state of hysteria. He never believed in equality. He never believed that this country needed change. My husband has had to go out in the fields to work the land barefooted just for us to get by. Children suffering, their mothers not knowing what to do to make things improve; that's the nightmare that not only I had to face but many others as well. Knowing that he could do something to help, he ignored the problem, he ignored us. For what? To have his perfect luxurious life.
As an angry citizen who has been having to pay so many taxes for the past years, I feel it is time for my voice to be finally heard. I am sick and tired of all of Louis XIV’s unfair judgement and policies. During his reign Louis XVI was a selfish leader who truly only cared about himself. He didn't like change, that is of course, when everything was in his favor. The Old Regime consisted of his policies that suited only his selfish needs. He made my estate, the third estate, pay all of taxes, so that he could have luxuries without having to pay. He also wanted that each estate have one vote. He did this because he knew the other two estates would stand behind most any crazy idea he had. Which meant they would overrule us two against one, meaning we would never have a voice. Do you think this is fair? I'm surprised that with all of his unfair policies we took so long to finally revolt against his unfairness.
Not only did we have to deal with Louis XVI, but during this revolution there been a lot on my plate and I just don't know how much longer I can take this. But let's start off with us women defending our children and families. The moment we start having a word and fighting back against all this craze they want to shut us up. But it is enough of that, we will keep fighting until we are heard. But I can't say the same for good old Louis XVI, the moment someone said war, he fled and ran to Versailles, where it was safe for him. When we needed him the most he left us. Not so long ago the Parisian mobs also attacked and killed many. It's crazy that all of this occurring, with nothing we can do to stop it. If only the way of government changed we wouldn't be caught in this bloody dispute. But what amazes me the most is that that coward Louis XVI attempted to leave once again, but his fate was met the day he was executed. He deserved that and many other horrible things.
The only problem now is that I’m worried, I am a worried friend, daughter, mother, neighbor, concerned to what will happen to me and everyone I love.
Since his death, Robespierre has aspired to try and make our country great again, trying to remake the unfair laws. But everything great must come to an end as his friends have recently turned on him and chopped his head off as well. I fear for this country and what it may become. I'm just happy that this Reign of Terror is finally done and over with. But now with this new leader, Napoleon, coming in charge I really don't know what to expect. Let's just hope they stop killing so many innocent people. It's time to stop these people from being
guillotine-happy.
Even though I have mentioned before, I am completely terrified for our future as a nation, I sure am glad King Louis XVI is out of the picture. He was the biggest coward I have ever encountered in my life and am truly glad he is no longer the leader of this nation. I am sure that without him we can make our nation great once again. I just hope that from here on out, we will have more individual rights and be treated as human beings, not just the people that get the short end of the stick. It is time everyone realized that we are not dogs or slaves and shouldn't be treated as such, it is time for us hard working people to finally be appreciated! Thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to my concerns and I hope that together, we can find a way to come to a nation-wide happiness and union.

Sincerely,
Marie-Jeanne Lorette