Index Card #27

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/happy-birthday/2008/Nov/Marie-Antoinette.html

Summary: She was born as the 15th child born on the day of a great earthquake. Her mother did not give much attention to Marie. Did not receive formal schooling. At the end of the Seven Years' War Aurstia and France were allies. When she was 14, she was sent to marry Louis-Auguste and made to leave all of her Austrian clothing and belongings behind in honor of her new French citizenship. Marie Antoinette did not bear her husband any children for quite some time, a fact which frustrated the royal family and sparked much gossip and speculation among the general public, many of whom called for the annulment of the marriage. It is possible that surgery was required before the dauphin could father children. She rebelled by choosing her own fashions and friends, and misbehaved during royal events. Louis XVi and Marie assumed the French throne in 1774 after Louis XV died from smallpox. The couple did not see each other often. Marie Antoinette busied herself with gambling, outings to operas, and current fashion. When France fell into financial ruin in late 1787, many people held Marie Antoinette responsible for the troubles, blaming her excesses and her influence on the King as the cause of his poor decisions. Although her husband supported the Third Estate, Marie Antoinette opposed any rule other than an absolute monarchy. French citizens forced the royal family out of their palace at Versailles in October 1789. They moved to the Palace of the Tuileries, where they lived a more modest existence, during which time both Louis XVI and Marie wrote aboard for help. The family attempted escape, but were captured and eventually formally imprisoned and in August of 1792, the monarchy was officially abolished Louis XVI was executed for treason in January 1793. After 10 months of being jailed and separated from her children, Marie Antoinette was put on trial in October 1794. She was charged with treason, sexually abusing her son and other offenses and found guilty. On October 16, 1794, Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine.