WAS IT NECESSARY TO EXECUTE LOUIS XVI?
Megan O'Connell
October 14, 1802
Block A
News Editorial
Was it necessary to execute Louis XVI?
Louis XVI rose to high power in 1774. During the 17th century, most people could see Louis was unsuitable for the throne. The French Revolution lasted from 1789-1799. The French Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideals. Although the French Revolution did not accomplish all of its goals, this revolution shaped modern nations today to fight for liberty, equality, and the revolt of the monarchy. Louis XVI was married to Marie Antoinette who also caused some chaos during the French Revolution. He was born in Versailles and lived in the Palace of Versailles for much of his life. It was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he made atrocious decisions that affected France negatively which included financial, political, and economical issues that Louis XVI disregarded to their entirety.
Firstly, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he treated the common people poorly. He was a very selfish man who only seemed to care about the nobility. Unless you were of a high class, you were basically invisible. Louis XVI rose the prices of bread in France. Bread was one of the only products that the common people had enough money to buy. This created chaos and led to many miserable people. The increase in the cost of bread, made many common people starve and hunger emerged. On the other hand, Louis XVI was living his life in style. From his fancy daily outfits and the buffets, he was plentiful fed and well kept. He had glorious footwear and lived in the magnificent Palace of Versailles. The nobility was living very comfortably and at one point were living in the Palace of Versailles so Louis XVI would be able to watch over them. In conclusion, neither Louis or his wife cared much about the well-being of the lower classes.
Secondly, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he was careless with France’s money. Louis spent half of his national budget to service the federal debt. Louis XVI then called for a democracy and hired a prime minister of finance to help with the debts. In the end, France ended up going bankrupt so Louis had to raise the price of bread to try to get as much money as he could. Louis’s wife was spending tons of money on clothes, luxuries, and hoarded grain for herself. During this hard time of bankruptcy, Louis XVI, Marie, and the nobility were all living very adequately meanwhile other lower class commoners and peasants were struggling significantly.
Thirdly, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he was unfit to hold the throne as a monarch. He was very young when he was given the throne from his father. He married Marie Antoinette around age 14. Louis was given too much responsibility at such a young age. His perception of his kingdom was deformed, he only cared about higher classes and himself. To be such a selfish and unequal leader was detrimental for France. It led them into wars and caused much controversy that could have been avoided if Louis had made the kingdom equal and treated everyone fairly. Intellectuals began to wonder whether God could or should save the king. The people of France thought that it was best to execute Louis XVI because of his mindset towards the commoners and the way he went about handling certain situations in France.
In conclusion, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he was unfit for the throne, careless with France’s money, and treated the common people unfairly. The French revolution was mostly about the lack of food and a political system that made economic contradictions hardest on the poor. The French Revolution helped to shape France’s society and the people living there as well.
October 14, 1802
Block A
News Editorial
Was it necessary to execute Louis XVI?
Louis XVI rose to high power in 1774. During the 17th century, most people could see Louis was unsuitable for the throne. The French Revolution lasted from 1789-1799. The French Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideals. Although the French Revolution did not accomplish all of its goals, this revolution shaped modern nations today to fight for liberty, equality, and the revolt of the monarchy. Louis XVI was married to Marie Antoinette who also caused some chaos during the French Revolution. He was born in Versailles and lived in the Palace of Versailles for much of his life. It was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he made atrocious decisions that affected France negatively which included financial, political, and economical issues that Louis XVI disregarded to their entirety.
Firstly, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he treated the common people poorly. He was a very selfish man who only seemed to care about the nobility. Unless you were of a high class, you were basically invisible. Louis XVI rose the prices of bread in France. Bread was one of the only products that the common people had enough money to buy. This created chaos and led to many miserable people. The increase in the cost of bread, made many common people starve and hunger emerged. On the other hand, Louis XVI was living his life in style. From his fancy daily outfits and the buffets, he was plentiful fed and well kept. He had glorious footwear and lived in the magnificent Palace of Versailles. The nobility was living very comfortably and at one point were living in the Palace of Versailles so Louis XVI would be able to watch over them. In conclusion, neither Louis or his wife cared much about the well-being of the lower classes.
Secondly, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he was careless with France’s money. Louis spent half of his national budget to service the federal debt. Louis XVI then called for a democracy and hired a prime minister of finance to help with the debts. In the end, France ended up going bankrupt so Louis had to raise the price of bread to try to get as much money as he could. Louis’s wife was spending tons of money on clothes, luxuries, and hoarded grain for herself. During this hard time of bankruptcy, Louis XVI, Marie, and the nobility were all living very adequately meanwhile other lower class commoners and peasants were struggling significantly.
Thirdly, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he was unfit to hold the throne as a monarch. He was very young when he was given the throne from his father. He married Marie Antoinette around age 14. Louis was given too much responsibility at such a young age. His perception of his kingdom was deformed, he only cared about higher classes and himself. To be such a selfish and unequal leader was detrimental for France. It led them into wars and caused much controversy that could have been avoided if Louis had made the kingdom equal and treated everyone fairly. Intellectuals began to wonder whether God could or should save the king. The people of France thought that it was best to execute Louis XVI because of his mindset towards the commoners and the way he went about handling certain situations in France.
In conclusion, it was necessary to execute Louis XVI because he was unfit for the throne, careless with France’s money, and treated the common people unfairly. The French revolution was mostly about the lack of food and a political system that made economic contradictions hardest on the poor. The French Revolution helped to shape France’s society and the people living there as well.