What did Louis XIV accomplish?
With the help of his finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV established reforms that cut France’s deficit and promoted industrial growth. During his reign, Louis XIV managed to improve France’s disorganized system of taxation and limit formerly haphazard borrowing practices.
How did Louis XVI cause the French Revolution?
Louis XVI approved French military support for the American colonies in their successful struggle against the British, but the expense nearly bankrupted the country. Louis convened the Estates-General in an effort to solve his budget crisis, but by doing so he unwittingly sparked the French Revolution.
Does the French royal family still exist?
France is a Republic, and there’s no current royal family recognized by the French state. Still, there are thousands of French citizens who have titles and can trace their lineage back to the French Royal Family and nobility.
What treason did Marie Antoinette commit?
After a brief trial, Marie Antoinette herself was convicted of treason and also of sexual abuse of her son in October 1793. On October 16, she too was executed by guillotine. She was 37 years old.
How did Louis XIV influence the nation?
He brought the French monarchy to its peak of absolute power and made France the dominant power in Europe. His reign is also associated with the greatest age of French culture and art. After the chaos of the Wars of Religion, the French monarchy had been reestablished by Louis XIV’s grandfather, Henry IV.
Why was Louis 16 executed?
One day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention, King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris.
Why did the French get rid of their monarchy?
In 1789, food shortages and economic crises led to the outbreak of the French Revolution. King Louis and his queen, Mary-Antoinette, were imprisoned in August 1792, and in September the monarchy was abolished. Marie-Antoinette followed him to the guillotine nine months later.
What really happened to Marie Antoinette?
Marie Antoinette’s trial began on 14 October 1793, and two days later she was convicted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of high treason and executed, also by guillotine, on the Place de la Révolution.