Marie Antoinette was the wife of King Louis XVI, and the queen of France at the beginning of the French Revolution. Many people in fact, believe she was one of the major causes of the Revolution. A story is told, to this day, about Marie Antoinette. One of the servants at the Queen's palace came up to her and said, "Your Highness, there is a mob of peasants out side of the palace and they are begging for bread.? The Queen is reported to have said, "Well if they are out of bread, let them eat cake.?.
Marie Antoinette was made a scapegoat during the years leading up to the French Revolution. Her enemies used her wastefulness and her unearned reputation for infidelity to whip up the masses against the monarchy. She was made a symbol of hatred to all of France. Sadly for this young queen she was not guilty of most of what she was accused of, including saying, "Let them eat cake.?.
Marie Antoinette was born November2, 1755 in Vienna, Austria. She was the youngest and most beautiful daughter of Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria and queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and Holy Roman emperor Francis I. Archduchess Marie grew up in the highly moral environment of her mother's court. Her education was left largely in the hands of a governess who was happy to spoil the pretty, high-spirited little girl. Marie spent more time playing than studying, although she enjoyed her music lessons and became an excellent harpist and dancer.
Austria and France had been at war with each other many times. Having settled their differences, Marie's mother arranged for her marriage to the crown prince of France. Marie was only 15 years old, and Louis was only 16. The marriage between Louis XIV and Marie was really an arranged marriage between the two countries, which formed the Franco- Austrian alliance. Four years after their marriage the old King of France died. The new king and queen of France were quoted as saying, "Protect us, Lord, for we reign too young.
