What were the causes of the downfall of Louis XVI?

Just about any country that one can name has some history of civil unrest, class issues, rioting in the streets, and outright warfare. These patterns of behavior are common denominators for most civilization in the world. The names, faces, and places may change, but the motivations are generally the same, because of the need for change and the willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve it. In contrast to the United States, which was in the process of freeing itself from British colonial rule, France was working to free itself from royal absolutism. This period is historically known as the French Revolution. Many scholars do not agree on the chronology of the French Revolution; some scholars suggest that the Revolution took place between 1789 to 1799 while others feel that it did not end until Napoleon lost power in 1815. To better understand the history of the French Revolution it is necessary to discuss the causes, major events, significant figures, and the outcomes associated with these political developments. Without this uprising, that changed the face of the entire country and influenced local political life in many countries in Europe, in all likelihood the France we know today would never have existed.

There were many causes and events leading up to the French Revolution in 1789. Before the Revolution, France had been involved in many expensive wars, especially the American War of Independence, causing financial difficulties and debts which were increased through the expensive upkeep of the Royal Family and their courts. At this time the Age of Enlightenment was occurring and new ideas, challenging the Ancien Regime and the Absolute right to rule, were emerging. The monarch of the time, King Louis XVI, was a weak monarch who was incapable of making decisions and sticking to them. King Louis XIV was also incapable of using his powers in a way to spark fear and gain control of those under his power. As a

During the 18th century a European intellectual movement referred to as the Age of Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, shaped the Western world with the introduction of concepts such as natural rights and the separation of powers. These concepts influenced significant events in history such as the French Revolution, which later on inspired and influenced the American Revolution against Great Britain’s heavy taxation. Furthermore, these significant events introduced the foundations of an ideal government, which stemmed from the ideas of the philosophes of the Age of Enlightenment. For example, John Locke argued that the duty of a government was “to protect the natural rights of the people” ("Foundations of American Government"). Also, Montesquieu

The French Revolution was a period of social and political turmoil in France from 1789 to 1799 that greatly affected modern and French history. It marked the decline of powerful monarchies and the rise of democracy, individual rights and nationalism. This revolution came with many consequences because of the strive for power and wealth, but also had many influential leaders attempting to initiate change in the French government and the economy. In 1789 the people of France dismissed King Louis XVI of his title, took apart his monarchy and executed him, his wife Marie Antoinette and thousands of nobles. The French set up a new system of government with specific revolutionary ideals, including liberty, equality and fraternity. This was a

     One of the most important factors to consider during this time period is the reign of Louis XIV. His idea of the monarchy was one of the reasons why the French government had failed and created turmoil for the citizens of France. Louis XIV enjoyed the royal life very much and very fervently. He spent more of his reign enjoying himself and his life rather than ruling the country.

France before the French Revolution was incredibly unstable and was facing multiple problems in the society. Louis XVI ruled France with absolutism, this caused political problems to arise. For example, in document one it states “He controlled the expression of thought by strict censorship…” Louis XVI appointed military officials, made the laws, and had power over society. Citizens of France found it unfair that Louis could control the government and the way of life in

These causes can be boiled down to economic, political, and social reasons. During the late 1780’s the Third Estate people were being unfairly taxed. France was under a system in which the middle class and peasants were taxed heavily, whereas the nobles and upper class were not. (Doc 1) Thus, to a great population of France, economic issues were very apparent. Along with this, there was a prominent political issue. The ineffective King Louis XVI was in power during this time, and was frequently asked to solve the issues of France. He regularly failed to accommodate to their lists of commands. (Doc 2) There was also a struggle between the nobility and monarchy over reform of the tax system, where they weren’t able to agree and make decisions. During this time in France there were also major social issues. There was discontent between the first, second, and most prominently, the third estate. The third estate people, consisting of middle class and peasants, were being unfairly taxed and mistreated. (Doc 10) This led to anger in the people of the third

Francis Bacon, René Descartes, John Locke, and Baruch Spinoza, are just a few of the major philosophers who inspired the period of time in the 18th century in Europe, known as the Age of Enlightenment. The philosophers from this time wished to promote the idea of a government ruled by the people and their interest rather than from a monarchy and urged many nations to overthrow this type of ruling. This idea helped to influence the new National Assembly with the French revolution, when they were overthrowing King Louis. In the same manner, the British monarchies governmental rule was overruled as well during the american revolution. Philosophers from the enlightenment were key on utilizing the theorems of science and questioning, in their efforts to develop todays ideas of

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By 1786 the french government was impotent to pay the earnings of its officials and soldiers. (revise) Trouble was expected, the winter was severe and by spring there was an acute shortage of food (tames). Louis XIII established Absolute Monarchy in France during his reign. When his son and successor Louis XIV came to power, a period of trouble known as the Fronde occurred in France, taking advantage of Louis XIV's minority. however, many obstacles stood in the way of absolutism in France. The Dutch War (1672–78), during which Louis XIV demonstrated strategic and tactical capabilities, provided the occasion for a skillful propaganda.Louis XI (1423–1483; ruled 1461–83), set France on a course that eventually destroyed the power of the great feudal lords. The Revolutionary Wars began from increasing political pressure on King Louis XVI of France to prove his loyalty to the new direction France was taking. In the spring of 1792, France declared war on Prussia and Austria, which responded with a coordinated invasion of the country that was eventually turned back at the Battle of Valmy in September 1792. The victory rejuvenated the French nation and emboldened the National Convention to abolish the monarchy. Absolutism or absolute monarchical rule was developing across Europe during the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Absolute rule meant that the power of the monarch was, in theory, unlimited except by divine law

Louis became unpopular because he was so sure of himself. He felt that everyone should revolve around him, so he took the sun as his image, because they had just discovered that the world revolved around the sun. He persecuted Protestants. He also used bribery. King Louis XIV forced Protestants to pay extra taxes and forced the people who kept the Protestant religion to house soldiers whenever they were in town. He taxed the Protestants because they chose to believe in something different then his beliefs. Louis threw out the Edict of Nantes because it gave people the freedom to choose their own religion and he believed that people should have only one religion, Catholicism. This act took away the people's right to freedom of religion.

During the eighteenth century there was one central political cause for the French Revolution. King Louis XVI was a weak ruler who endured a lavish lifestyle. He disregarded the people’s needs, leaving much of the French population in discontent. Prior to the revolution the form of government was Absolute monarchy led by Louis XVI. The problem with absolute monarchy was that people were denied basic rights, and a say in government because the divine right theory was abused. The King ruled by the divine right of theory which

In France, government was impacted by illumination beliefs, however what couple of measures Louis XV (and his grandson, Louis XVI) took, fizzled. Some Enlightenment goals permeated into French government amid their rules, however this was mainly attained to by their capable overseers and consultants. For instance, Louis XV depended the undertakings of the French state to his previous mentor, Hercule de Fleury. It was a result of Fleury's monetary changes that the French economy recouped and the government was further enabled in the wake of being profoundly in the red after the wars of Louis XIV.

Prior to 1798, the French Government was lackadaisical and had a leader that often ignored his responsibilities as king, thus leaving an oppressed and poor populace that had to fend for themselves. Born in 1754, King Louis himself was a horrible leader that lacked the skill in properly making decisions. He came into power in

As the tragic events of the French Revolution unfolded, King Louis XVI of France soon found himself in the centre of it and gradually became one of the victims. In the morning of Tuesday 21st January 1793, he was woken by his guards and taken to Place de la Revolution. "My people, I die an innocent man" were his last words to the crowd, and moments later, his head was held up to the crowd . However, what caused the end of monarchy? Was Louis XVI completely responsible for his own downfall? There is no questioning that Louis XVI is, in fact, partially responsible for his own downfall, but other factors, both short term and long term, also contributed to his downfall.