By the summer of 1789, France was moving quickly toward revolution. There were severe food shortages in France, and increasing anger towards the monarchy. Additionally, the beginning of the French revolution was a terrible time for Marie Antoinette and her family. Just before the events of the French revolution began, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI lost their son, Louis Joseph, to tuberculosis at age seven. The prince’s death added immeasurable grief to the lives of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI before the revolution began. As quoted by Munro Price: “Although the boy had been ill for some time, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were devastated by his loss. As this political crisis escalated around them they retired into mourning.” (Price, 2013).
…show more content…
However, this history defining event went unnoticed by Marie Antoinette and much of French Court. According to Antonia Fraser: “The Queen… passed the day of 14 July, like the rest of the court, in ignorance of what was taking place in Paris.” (Fraser, 2010). Furthermore, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were particularly unaware of the revolutionary events taking place around them, and the fateful consequences the French Revolution would bring upon their family and the future of France.
The events during the summer of 1789 were the turning point in the French Revolution. The Fall of Bastille had caused a wave of unrest across France as the event sparked the beginning of revolutionary activities. During this time, Marie Antoinette and her family became increasingly endangered by plots against their lives. Additionally, the King, Louis XVI had become increasingly withdrawn and unaware of the fateful events taking place around him. “Louis XVI [was] virtually sleepwalking through the greatest crisis of his reign… The king’s reaction to other critical movements during the revolution included withdrawal and disassociation with the world around him, inability to register words addressed to him and inability to make a decision.” (Price,
However, this history defining event went unnoticed by Marie Antoinette and much of French Court. According to Antonia Fraser: “The Queen… passed the day of 14 July, like the rest of the court, in ignorance of what was taking place in Paris.” (Fraser, 2010). Furthermore, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were particularly unaware of the revolutionary events taking place around them, and the fateful consequences the French Revolution would bring upon their family and the future of France.
The events during the summer of 1789 were the turning point in the French Revolution. The Fall of Bastille had caused a wave of unrest across France as the event sparked the beginning of revolutionary activities. During this time, Marie Antoinette and her family became increasingly endangered by plots against their lives. Additionally, the King, Louis XVI had become increasingly withdrawn and unaware of the fateful events taking place around him. “Louis XVI [was] virtually sleepwalking through the greatest crisis of his reign… The king’s reaction to other critical movements during the revolution included withdrawal and disassociation with the world around him, inability to register words addressed to him and inability to make a decision.” (Price,