2. LOUIS XVI AND MARIE ANTOINETTE NOTES Please use pages 14, 15 and 16 in you notebook to copy the following notes.

3. King of France 1774-1791

4. 1. Louis was an absolute monarch - means one ruler with all power b. this type of government ruled for over 800 years in France 2. He had divine right a. the "God given" right to rule b. was chosen by God as the successor 3. Took office at age 20 A. BECOMING A RULER

5. B. Why he was detested… 1. Frivolous spending - wasting $$ of France a. Built lavish palaces (i.e. Versailles) b. entertainment expenses - food, theater c. supported the American Revolution ($$) 2. Enforced an unfair social system (aka feudal) a. called the estate system b. unfair land distribution c. unequal and very high taxes d. people have no voice in government LOUIS XVI (CONTINUED)

6. 3. Married Marie Antoinette... LOUIS XVI (CONTINUED)

7. A. Her background 1. Born November 2, 1755 in Vienna, Austria a. named Maria Antonia b. the spoiled empress c. The 15 th of 16 children in her family 2. Believed her destiny was to become Queen of France a. married King Louis XVI at 15 years old b. cemented alliance between France & Austria c. changed her name to sound French MARIE ANTOINETTE QUEEN OF FRANCE 1774-1791

8. B. Why she was detested… 1. Considered a foreigner by citizens 2. Rumored to be an unfaithful wife 3. Practiced immoral values 4. Reported to do drugs/alcohol 5. Threw extravagant parties 6. Spent money frivolously (unwisely) a. Paid for dressmaker and beautician every day b. Spent money on entertainment and the theater c. Le Petit Trianon – “Little Village” d. Hired help/actors to work on farm like a real farm MARIE ANTOINETTE (CONTINUED) (Click on picture for video clip 2:27 min)

10. 7.Rumors were spread about her... a. traitor-gave away military secrets through correspondence with Austria's ruler (her brother) to help deter a revolution b. murder-she killed her oldest son? c. Was she a thief? Diamond Necklace Affair – 1785 1.. Royal Courtier purchased necklace from a Parisian jeweler with an I.O.U. (on credit), never to be seen again! Is the Queen involved? e. An angry mob of women protest at the Palace of Versailles MARIE ANTOINETTE (CONTINUED)

11. The secret code phrase is “Boat hair” You will need the secret code phrase to enter class on Thursday!