WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT LOUIS XVI COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY TO REACH A COMPROMISE?
CJ Buckley
Block A
10/14/1803
News Editorial
In the late 1700’s France was turned upside down after losing the 7 year war, the country and the people within it had little food or money leaving them in a great time of struggle. With France in a time of hardship, there were many debates on whether or not King Louis had the lower and middle classes in his best interest. He could have done a lot to help theses classes during this hard time but he did not. His lack of compromise later lead to his his trial and then, his execution. To reach a compromise with the lower and middle classes he could have given more focus and concern to those who were struggling, not just the nobility and monarchy, listened to the needs
and opinions of the lower classes and used his money to pull the country out of debt.
To begin, Louis XVI should have given more focus and concern to the middle and lower classes not just the nobility. During the late 1700’s, social hierarchy was still the way of life in France. So when they had lost the 7 year war, leaving them in a great struggle, King Louis had given most of his attention to the higher classes, leaving the middle and lower classes even more neglected than they had been before. With the country in great debt, Louis raised the price of bread, their only food. These people had been left to starve while he continued to spend his money on unnecessary luxuries.
Next, Louis could have spent his money more wisely and efficiently. After losing the war, France was in great debt and financial turmoil. However their king was still very wealthy. Louis allowed his wife Marie to still go out and carelessly spend their money on unnecessary items for her comfort and luxury when the people in his kingdom were continuously dying. Louis should have used that money to pull the country out of debt or spent it on food and medical supplies to help his people and begin the rebuild the country.
Later, when the people had realized what King Louis was doing with his money. It took their tempers over the top. The people demanded that Louis hire a financial advisor to manage where his money was going and what it was being used for. Louis finally agreed, bringing the people some hope and comfort. However, Louis would soon fire his financial advisor, which ultimately enraged the people even more. At this point they had lost almost all of their trust in Louis and began to see how bad of a ruler he had been with his lack of care and compromise.
In conclusion, the people of France had began the French Revolution and revolt against King Louis. Louis lack of compromise is ultimately what lead to the rebellion. If he had compromised and given more focus to the lower and middle classes, listened to their opinions and demands and spent his money more carefully, he may have been able to avoid the French Revolution and execution almost completely.
Block A
10/14/1803
News Editorial
In the late 1700’s France was turned upside down after losing the 7 year war, the country and the people within it had little food or money leaving them in a great time of struggle. With France in a time of hardship, there were many debates on whether or not King Louis had the lower and middle classes in his best interest. He could have done a lot to help theses classes during this hard time but he did not. His lack of compromise later lead to his his trial and then, his execution. To reach a compromise with the lower and middle classes he could have given more focus and concern to those who were struggling, not just the nobility and monarchy, listened to the needs
and opinions of the lower classes and used his money to pull the country out of debt.
To begin, Louis XVI should have given more focus and concern to the middle and lower classes not just the nobility. During the late 1700’s, social hierarchy was still the way of life in France. So when they had lost the 7 year war, leaving them in a great struggle, King Louis had given most of his attention to the higher classes, leaving the middle and lower classes even more neglected than they had been before. With the country in great debt, Louis raised the price of bread, their only food. These people had been left to starve while he continued to spend his money on unnecessary luxuries.
Next, Louis could have spent his money more wisely and efficiently. After losing the war, France was in great debt and financial turmoil. However their king was still very wealthy. Louis allowed his wife Marie to still go out and carelessly spend their money on unnecessary items for her comfort and luxury when the people in his kingdom were continuously dying. Louis should have used that money to pull the country out of debt or spent it on food and medical supplies to help his people and begin the rebuild the country.
Later, when the people had realized what King Louis was doing with his money. It took their tempers over the top. The people demanded that Louis hire a financial advisor to manage where his money was going and what it was being used for. Louis finally agreed, bringing the people some hope and comfort. However, Louis would soon fire his financial advisor, which ultimately enraged the people even more. At this point they had lost almost all of their trust in Louis and began to see how bad of a ruler he had been with his lack of care and compromise.
In conclusion, the people of France had began the French Revolution and revolt against King Louis. Louis lack of compromise is ultimately what lead to the rebellion. If he had compromised and given more focus to the lower and middle classes, listened to their opinions and demands and spent his money more carefully, he may have been able to avoid the French Revolution and execution almost completely.