The shortcomings of Louis XVI

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“The shortcomings of Louis the 16th and his wife Marie Antoinette were the main cause of the French revolution” How far do you agree? 30 mark

Louis and Marie Antoinette are arguably one of the main causes of the French revolution. However many other factors came into play which can also be seen to be significant in provoking the French Revolution. These other factors are the Finance and economy of France itself, the Enlightenment and the French society. Each of these factors can be considered catalysts to the French revolution although some are arguably more significant than others.

Louis the 16th and his Austrian wife Marie Antoinette ruled France as King and Queen from 1775 until 1792 when their rule ended and the French monarchy was abolished. It is argued that Louis and Marie Antoinette failed France and its people. When France began to fall into financial difficulty Louis was reluctant to any change that may help the country recover from the worsening financial situation of France. Throughout Lois reign he showed no sign of changing how the country was ran and he once said that “I am in no position to give up my power” which suggests how reluctant Lois was to change. Lois and Marie Antoinette also seemed quite uninterested in politics and somewhat distracted from their roles as monarchs. Marie Antoinette raised huge gambling debts every year and Louis was often known to pretend to be sleeping in court. The king and Queen lived in Versailles away from the French capital. This made the French citizens feel as if the monarchy was uninterested in current affairs. The apparent un-interest by the monarchy was highly significant in causing the French revolution as it made the people feel they were unappreciated and that the French economy was bound to collapse if the Monarchy was not even willing to face up to the problems France was faced up against.

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Another factor that is a possible cause for the French revolution was the terrible finance and struggling French economy. France was unable to control its finance, the tax collectors were corrupt and often kept some of the money they collected and as a whole France was highly un-industrialised. At the time France only had a total of 8 cotton mills and which in comparison to Britain which had over 100 cotton mills at the same time was very poor. As the Frances finances were so poor this lead to a downward spiralling economy. France was financially supporting the American colonies ...

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