King Louis XVI was born at the Palace of VersaillesAugust 23, 1754 Then he received the title of Duke of Berry. His father was the dauphin (prsetol's heir) Louis Ferdinand, who, in turn, was the son of Louis XV, the king of France.
Childhood
In childhood, the child was the second of seven children infamily. His elder brother was the namesake, who died at the age of 9 in 1761. While Louis grew up in his shadow, his parents did not notice him. He was fond of hunting, which often went with the reigning grandfather. After his father passed away in 1765 from tuberculosis, the title of dauphin passed to an 11-year-old child. His urgent training began in order to prepare for the throne, which he now had to inherit from his grandfather.
Heir
In 1770, the future Louis XVI, who was 15years old, married Marie Antoinette. She accounted for the dauphin cousin on the maternal line, and was also the daughter of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Franz I. At that time, many colonies in North America, lost to Great Britain, were lost. Crowned couple for a long time could not get offspring, because of what in France even poignant pamphlets appeared, affecting the theme of Louis' health. Nevertheless, from 1778 to 1786, 4 children were born (2 sons and 2 daughters).
The growing heir was very different in character from the powerful grandfather. The young man was shy, quiet, modest and completely did not fit into the then royal court.
Reforms
В 1774 году скончался Людовик XV и на трон был erected a new king - Louis XVI. The monarch sympathized with the ideas of the Enlightenment, because of which he immediately dismissed many odious ministers and advisers of the past reign, who were distinguished by their reactionary nature. In particular, Madame Du Barry, the Chancellor, and so on, were excommunicated from the court. Reforms aimed at abandoning feudalism began, the royal expenditures on encirclement were significantly reduced. For all these changes, there was a request from French society, which wanted civil liberties and an end to the domination of the authorities.
The biggest response received transformations insphere of finance. Turgot, who was firmly associated with reforms in the future, was appointed as the Comptroller for this section. He proposed to redistribute taxes, increase taxes from the higher wealthy segments of society. Internal customs posts that robbed traders were abolished, and monopolies destroyed. The sale of bread became free, which greatly facilitated the existence of the estate of peasants, who had the least means for living. In 1774, the local parliaments, which served as judicial and representative bodies, were restored.
Conservative resistance
Among commoners, all these ideas were perceived withenthusiasm. But the higher strata of French society resisted innovations initiated by King Louis XVI. The nobility and clergy did not want to lose their own privileges. There were demands to take the post from Turgot, who was the main instigator of the changes. Louis XVI differed uncertain character and therefore gave way to the nobility. Turgot was removed, and complete anarchy began in finance. New ministers and managers could not do anything with the growing hole in the budget, but only took new loans from lenders. Debts were associated with lower tax revenue. In addition, trade within the country could not move to new rails immediately, which caused an economic crisis in the cities, including the lack of bread.
Compromise
Against this background, in the 80s Louis XVI and MaryAntoinette tried to maneuver in the changing conditions of French society. The first manifestations of counterreforms aimed at smoothing the radical changes left over from Turgot began.
For the third estate became closed againpositions of officers and judges. The feudal lords regained their position when they paid lower taxes. All this caused ferment in society. Everyone was dissatisfied: the nobles from the uncertainty of the king, the townspeople from the difficult economic situation, and the peasants from the fact that the reforms started were curtailed.
At this time, France participated in the War ofindependence that unfolded in North America. The rebel colonies received the support that Louis XVI provided them. The operation to weaken Britain demanded to act on the same side with the revolutionaries. It was completely unusual for absolute monarchs, one of whom was still Louis XVI. A brief biography of the king says that the king’s policy caused discontent of his “colleagues” - the rulers of Austria, Russia, etc.
В то же время многочисленные французские офицеры, who fought in America, returned to their homeland completely different people. They were alien to the old order of the homeland, where feudalism still triumphed. Over the ocean, they felt freedom. The most famous officer from this stratum was Gilbert Lafayette.
Financial crisis
The second half of the 80s was marked by newfinancial problems throughout the state. Half measures undertaken by the king and his ministers did not suit anyone because of their inefficiency. The new measure was the convening of parliament, where a reformed tax was to be introduced. Louis XVI became its initiator. Photos of paintings with his image show us a smartly dressed monarch, while the crisis in the state is ripe. Of course, many people turned this against the king. Parliament refused to introduce new taxes, after which it was broken up, and some of its members were arrested. This angered almost all the inhabitants of the country. As a compromise, it was decided to convene the States-General.
General States
Первое собрание нового представительного органа happened in 1789. Inside him were several opposing groups representing different social strata. In particular, the third estate declared itself the National Assembly and invited the nobility and clergy to join the new faction. It was an attempt on the power of the monarch, who was considered to be given by God. Violation of generally accepted traditions that existed in the kingdom for many centuries, meant that the National Assembly is positioning itself as the voice of the people.
Since the third estate had the mostGeneral States, it blocked the orders of the king to restore the old order. This meant that Louis was now faced with a choice: forcibly dissolve the States General or submit to their decisions. The monarch once again showed his desire for compromise and himself advised the clergy and nobility to join the coalition. He became the constitutional ruler.
Insurrection
This turn of events angered the conservativepart of French society, which was still great and influential. Inconsistent Ludovic began to listen to the dukes and nobles, who demanded the introduction of troops in Paris and the resignation of the initiators of radical reforms. That was done.
After that, the inhabitants of Paris openly ceaseobey the king and rose up. July 14, 1789 Bastille was captured - a prison and a symbol of absolutism. Some officials and nobles were killed. The most earnest-minded began to form detachments of the National Guard, which served to protect the successes of the Revolution. Before the new threat, Louis again made concessions, withdrawing troops from Paris and coming to the National Council.
At the head of the Revolution
After the victory of the Revolution, the cardinal beganreform. First of all, the feudal system that existed in France since the Middle Ages was destroyed. At the same time, every month the king lost his influence on what was happening around him. Power floated away from him. All state institutions were paralyzed both in the capital and in the provinces. One of the consequences of this change was the disappearance of bread from Paris. The mob living in the city, in a rage, tried to besiege the castle of Versailles, where was the residence of Louis.
The rioters demanded that the king move to Paris from the suburbs. In the capital, the monarch became the actual hostage of the revolutionaries. Gradually in their circles grew supporters of the republic.
In the royal family, too, was restless.Louis XVI, the children of the monarch and his inner circle were increasingly dependent on Marie Antoinette, who was sharply opposed to the revolutionaries. She urged her husband to turn to the help of foreign rulers, who were also frightened by the rampant free-thinkers in France.
Escape the king
Due to the fact that the king remained in Paris,the actions of the revolutionaries got a legitimate shade. In Versailles, decided to escape Louis XVI. He wanted to stand at the head of the anti-revolutionary forces or be abroad, from where he could try to lead the loyal soldiers. In 1791, the entire royal family left Paris incognito, but was identified in Varenna and detained.
To save his life, Louis declaredthat fully supports the radical changes in the country. At this time, France was already preparing for open conflict with the European monarchies, who feared an attempt on the old order on the continent. In 1792, Louis, while actually on a powder keg, declared war on Austria.
However, the campaign went wrong from the very beginning.Austrian units invaded France and were already close to Paris. Anarchy began in the city, and the new rebels captured the royal palace. Louis and his family were sent to prison. On September 21, 1792, he was officially deprived of his royal title and became an ordinary citizen with the last name Capet. In France, the First Republic was declared.
Trial and execution
The prisoner's precarious situation was finallyit was blown up when a secret safe containing secret letters and documents was found in his former castle. It followed from them that the royal family intrigued against the Revolution, in particular, appealed for help to foreign rulers. At this time, the radicals were just waiting for a reason to finally get rid of Louis.
Поэтому начался суд и допросы в Конвенте.The former king was charged with encroachment on national security. The convention decided that the defendant deserved to die. The execution of Louis XVI took place on January 21, 1793. When he was on the scaffold, his last words were the question of the fate of the expedition of Jean-François de La Perouse. Marie-Antoinette was beheaded several months later, in October.
The execution of the king led to the fact that the Europeanmonarchs finally united against the Republic. The news of the death of Louis was the cause of the declaration of war in England, Spain and the Netherlands. A little later, Russia joined the coalition.
