The man The Myth The Legend

Becoming King  Born August 23,1754 Louis Auguste.  Born the oldest of Eight Children.  After his father died he became air to the throne which his grandfather poorly prepared him for.

Family life  At the age of 15he married Maria Antonia of Austria on May  Many people already did not like the queen coming from Austria but when she couldn’t produce a child they were outraged.  The real story was that the king had a the problem.

Absolute monarch  King louis took the throne at the age of 20 in 1774 when his grandfather died.  When he took the throne his government was deeply in dept from past wars.  Many felt that he was not prepared to rule and was not firm enough.

Kings decreasing power  Many people felt that Louis and Marie Antoinette spent lavisly.  Maries expensive hairstyles and party’s at Verallies added to france’s debt.  This also added to the peoples doubt and louis drift from power.

Estates General  Louis brought together the estates general for the first time since  Louis voted by order to let the clergy and nobles have the advantage.  Louis locked them out of the palace on June 20 th in which the third estate vowed to the tennis court oath which would begin his decline.

Louis flees.  On June 21, 1791 Louis tried to flee France to get to Austria.  He was caught a few miles from the border.  A town official recognized the king and Louis was brought back to Paris.  Louis was forced to agree to the plee’s of the people.

Louis Arrested  This started Frances “war against people.”  While there were still wars going on with Austria and prussia  Incriminating documents were found of louis talking with Austria and secret plans to stop the constitution.

Louis’ Execution  In january of 1793, the national convention voted to convict Louis of treason.  They sentenced him to death, with a close vote at  Seconds before his execution Louis said “I die innocent of all the crimes which I have been accused.”

 columbia University, "louis xvi." Mar  "The Execution of Louis XVI, 1793," EyeWitness to History, (1999).  Louis XVI and the Comte de Vergennes: Correspondence by Louis XVI, King of France ; Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes ;