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'''Louis XVI''' (1754-1793) was the king of [[France]] (1774-1792) who lost his throne during the [[French Revolution]] and was later beheaded by the revolutionaries, as was his wife Queen [[Marie Antoinette]].  After a century of wars and financial mismanagement, France still large rich and powerful, but could no longer pay its bills, or the exorbitant costs of royalty and aristocracy. Louis XVI, a weak administrator, attempted some tax relief and reforms, but was frustrated by opposition by the upper class and judges.

'''Louis XVI''' (1754-1793) was the king of [[France]] (1774-1792) who lost his throne during the [[French Revolution]] and was later beheaded by the revolutionaries, as was his wife Queen [[Marie Antoinette]].  After a century of wars and financial mismanagement, France still large rich and powerful, but could no longer pay its bills, or the exorbitant costs of royalty and aristocracy. Louis XVI, a weak administrator, attempted some tax relief and reforms, but was frustrated by opposition by the upper class and judges.

Louis XVI provided critical financial aid to the Americans, and joined in their war against Britain, 1778-81. This allowed the Americans to win but further drained the remaining credit of the French government. To raise money, in 1788 the king was forced to call into session a long-dormant the representative governmental body called the Estates-General. On July 14, 1789, Parisians seized the notorious prison, the [[Bastille]].  The king bungled an attempted escape and was imprisoned in 1791.  

Louis XVI provided critical financial aid to the Americans, and joined in their war against [[Great Britain]], 1778-81. This helped the Americans to win, but further drained the remaining credit of the French government. To raise money, in 1788 the king was forced to call into session a long-dormant representative governmental body called the Estates-General. On July 14, 1789, Parisians seized the notorious prison, the [[Bastille]].  The king attempted to escape, but was caught and imprisoned in 1791.  

In 1792, the new government declared France a republic and ordered the execution of Louis XVI by [[guillotine]] on January 21, 1793.   

In 1792, the new government declared France a republic and ordered the execution of Louis XVI by [[guillotine]] on January 21, 1793.  

   

==Family==

==Family==

He was the grandson of King [[Louis XV]] and the third son of Louis, Dauphin of France, and of his second wife the Dauphiness, Marie Josèphe of Saxony. Born at Versailles on Aug. 23, 1754, he was baptized Louis Augustus, and during the lifetime of Louis XV bore the title of the Duke of Berry. He was tutored in religion, literature, science, mathematics, history, drawing, music, and foreign languages, and taught that he should defer to his older brother, who would become king. The man never outgrew the shyness and dullness of the boy; he was best at his locksmith hobby, or out hunting.  

He was the grandson of King [[Louis XV]] and the third son of Louis, Dauphin of France, and of his second wife the Dauphiness, Marie Josèphe of Saxony. Born at Versailles on Aug. 23, 1754, he was baptized Louis Augustus, and during the lifetime of Louis XV bore the title of the Duke of Berry. He was tutored in religion, literature, science, mathematics, history, drawing, music, and foreign languages, and taught that he should defer to his older brother, who would become king. The man never outgrew the shyness and dullness of the boy; he was best at his locksmith hobby, or out hunting.