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A Queen is Born
Marie Antoinette was born on November 2, 1755 Vienna, Austria History.com Editors, editor. "Marie-Antoinette." HISTORY, A&E Television
Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Marriage is Promised
In 1766, as a way to cement the relatively new alliance between the French and Habsburg thrones, Marie Theresa, Antoinette's mother, promised her young daughter's hand in marriage to the future king Louis XVI of France. History.com Editors, editor. "Marie-Antoinette." HISTORY, A&E Television
Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
First Public Appearance as a Royal Family Member
50,000 people eagerly gathered along the streets of Paris to catch a glimpse of the new Queen during her first public appearance as a member of the French royal family. Members of the crowd were so keen to see the teenager that at least 30 people were crushed to death during the frantic rush. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Married by Proxy
Marie and Louis-Auguste were married by proxy, or married without one of the two people being present in April of 1770. They would have a real wedding only a month later. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Marie gets Married
Marie Antoinette and the dauphin were married by proxy in Vienna. They were only 15 and 16 years old. On May 16th, 1770, a lavish second wedding took place in the royal chapel at Versailles. There were well over 5,000 guests to watch as the young couple, who had never met prior, got married. This would be the beginning of Marie's life in the public eye. History.com Editors, editor. "Marie-Antoinette." HISTORY, A&E Television
Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Marie Becomes Queen
After battling smallpox, King Louis XV died. Marie, who was not yet 19 years old, became Queen of France when her husband inherited the throne as King Louis XVI. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
"Let them eat cake!"
When Marie first heard that the French people were starving and could not afford bread, she remarked, "Let them eat cake!" This quote is wildly attributed to her, although there is no actual proof that she ever even uttered these famous words. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Poor Harvests
During the 1780s, France experienced poor harvests, increasing the price of grain. The government underwent financial difficulties as a result. Because of this, Marie's lavish lifestyle at court came under attack. Many people across France were disturbed at the queen's extravagant spending. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Le Hameau de la Reine ("The Queen's Hamlet")
Marie began building a secluded farming village on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles. It had a farmhouse, cottages, a mill and farm animals. It was created to allow the queen and her companions to escape the busy court in Versailles. Marie and her ladies-in-waiting would dress up as shepherdesses and pretend to be peasants, walking around the farmland milking the cows and sheep. She even hired servants to uphold the village and care for the animals. -
Sexual Abuse and Incest
In December, Louis XVI was put on trial for treason; in January, he was executed. The campaign against Marie Antoinette likewise grew stronger. In July 1793, she lost custody of her young son, who was forced to accuse her of sexual abuse and incest before a Revolutionary tribunal. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Guilty
After months of imprisonment, Marie was put on trial and found guilty of treason. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019. -
Execution of Marie Antionette
At only 37 years of age, Marie suffered the same fate as her husband, execution. Her body was hurled into an unmarked grave in the cemetery of L'eglise de la Madeleine in Paris. History Extra. 18 Nov. 2018, www.historyextra.com/. Accessed 1 Apr. 2019.
