1.2. Qualities Of Louis XVI Flashcards
When was Louis born?
1754
What was Louis XVI’s name?
Louis-Auguste de France
Who was Louis’ father?
Louis, the dauphin of France
Who was Louis’ grandad?
King Louis XV
Why was Louis neglected by his parents?
They said his older brother was more intelligent and better looking
What did his grandfather think of him?
He wasn’t particularly impressed and thought he lacked judgment
What happened to his brother and parents?
They all died of tuberculosis over a 6 year period
How was Louis educated?
He received a strict and conservative education from the Duc de la Vauguyon (governor of the children of France) from 1760 until 1770
How did Louis’ education prepare him for the throne?
It didn’t prepare him for the throne he was to inherit in 1774
What mixture of studies did Louis receive?
Religion, morality and humanities.
What interests did Louis have?
-locksmithing
-hunting with his grandfather
What subjects did Louis have a strong taste for?
Latin, history, geography, and astronomy, and became fluent in Italian and English
Who was Louis’ instructor?
Abbé Berthier
What did Abbé Berthier teach Louis?
That timidity was a value in strong monarchs
Who was Louis’ confessor?
Abbé soldini
What did Abbé soldini teach Louis?
Not to let people read his mind
When did Louis get married?
In 1770 at the age of 15
Who did Louis marry?
The 14 year old Marie Antoinette
Who was Marie Antoinette?
The youngest daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa
What did the French public think about their marriage?
It was met with hostility
Why was their marriage met with hostility?
France’s alliance with Austria had pulled the country into the disastrous Seven Years War
When was the Seven Years War?
1756-1763
What happened to France in the seven years war?
It was defeated by the British and prussians
When did the couple consummate the marriage?
1777
What does consummate mean?
Have sexual intercourse
How many children did Louis and Marie have?
4
What were Louis children called?
Marie-Thérèse Charlotte (1778-1851)
Louis-Joseph-Xavier-François (1781-1789)
Louis-Charles (1785-1795)
Sophie-Hélène-Béatrix (1786-1787)
How old was Louis when he acceded to the throne in 1774?
19
Why did Louis have an enormous responsibility on the throne?
-gov was in debt
-resentment of despotic monarchy was on the rise
What did Louis XV do at the end of his reign?
He allowed his ministers to suspend the Paris Parlement, which had stood in the way of his plans to reform the financial system
What was one of Louis XVI’s first acts as king?
To reinstate the Paris parlement and dismiss the ministers responsible for suspending it
What three main focuses did Louis have as a monarch?
Religious freedoms, government finances, and foreign policy
Why did France support the American Revolution?
Vergennes, the foreign secretary, saw an opportunity to humiliate Great Britain and to recover territory lost in the 7 years war
How much did the American Revolution cost?
1066 million livres
What did the King sign?
The edict of Versailles
What was the edict of Versailles?
Gave Protestants and Jews the right to worship in France
When was the edict of Versailles signed?
1787
