USA HISTORY

MAKING OF A NEW NATION 1776 1800

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
How did Marie-Antoinette, the wife of King Louis XVI, assisted with France’s growing debt?
A
Borrowing money to pay off the costly war debts
B
Spending money on food to share with the peasantry
C
Nothing
D
Spending money foolishly on lavish royal items
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -She spent lavishly on new decorations at the palace, exotic dresses, jewelry, and fancy hairdos. At the same time that Marie Antoinette was spending France’s money on her extravagant living, the economy of France was struggling. The average person in France didn’t have enough money to buy bread to feed their families.

Detailed explanation-2: -Her rejection of reform provoked unrest, and her policy of court resistance to the progress of the French Revolution finally led to the overthrow of the monarchy in August 1792.

Detailed explanation-3: -Louis XVI’s Execution Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed for treason. Louis had failed to address France’s financial problems, instigating the French Revolution that eventually descended upon him. He made matters worse by often escaping to more pleasurable activities like hunting and locksmithing.

Detailed explanation-4: -Marie Antoinette doffed her unfashionable togs for the latest in French couture from the house of Rose Bertin. During Louis’ reign, he incurred more than 2, 000 million livres in debt by contributing reinforcements to the American Revolution; Marie built up her debt in her closet [source: History Channel].

There is 1 question to complete.