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[[Image:CALLET-Louis-XVI.jpg|thumb|300px|right|King Louis XVI of France]]
[[Image:CALLET-Louis-XVI.jpg|thumb|300px|right|King Louis XVI of France]]
'''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 was 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 [[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.
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.