important figures

Question 1

Louis XIV:
character
quote
reputation
moved monarchy to Versailles -> was this good or bad?

Answer 1

had charisma / innovative
“l’État, c’est moi” (I am the state) - created impression of a tyrannical monarchy
known as the Sun King / gained this reputation through repeated bankruptcies (French gov was in a lot of debt) - difficult legacy for Louis XVI to inherit
initially good as it gave the king a stronghold / became a significant weakness - as the public sphere developed in 18th century, fashion and political ideas shaped in Paris - royalty couldn’t keep up - became subject of ridicule by writers protected by powerful noblement e.g. Duc d’Orleans

Question 2

Louis XV:
date range
good reign?

Answer 2

1715-1774
corrupt and decadent reign, marked by failures in foreign policy and embarrassing revelations about his private life
very damaging as king was supposed to be a father to his people
had scandalous love affairs e.g. with Madame du Barry, a prostitute - undermined monarchy’s claims to sacred status

Question 3

Marie Antoinette:
date
family?
marriage date
why was she disliked by French?

Answer 3

nicknamed ‘Madame Deficit’
1755-93
daughter of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa
married Louis in 1770
suspected of exerting undue influence on her indecisive husband - French despised Austrians

Question 4

Louis XVI:
line of succession
date
when was he crowned?
when did he move to Paris?
when was the ‘Flight to Varennes’?
when was the storming of the Tulieries
trial & execution of Louis

Answer 4

father and elder brother held positions above him in succession - didn’t always expect to take the throne = wasn’t prepared to be king
1754-93
1774; he was 20
October 1789 - forcibly brought
20-21st June 1791 - escaped Paris
10th August 1792 - monarchy overthrown
December 1792 / 21st January 1793

Question 5

Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot

Answer 5

1727-1781
Controller-General from 1774-6
one of the first ministers to attempt reform in finances
failed
- powerful vested interests
- lack of support from Louis

Question 6

Charles Alexandre de Calonne

Answer 6

1734-1802
Controller-General from 1783
drew up ambitious reform plan to deal with financial problems of monarchy
plan was rejected by Assembly of Notables

Question 7

Jacques Necker

Answer 7

1732-1804
Genevan banker who was in charge of France’s finance on a number of occasions
popular because of his ability to raise loans
- this avoided creation of new taxes