Marie Antoinette's Impact On Society

Ideas suggesting equality between men and women went unappreciated by society during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette welcomed these ideas by implying individualism. Scholars classified Antoinette as a rude tramp, basing their conclusions off primaries from the frustrated poor folk. The less fortunate had been cheated by their king and his financial advisors, who failed to create solutions to help the country’s ailing economy. The French societal norms demonstrated this as women had to obey society and their husbands’ orders. When Queen Marie Antoinette defied these normalities and refused to comply to the public’s standards and demands, they disapproved and thought poorly of her. Thus, French society misinterpreted Antoinette’s self-confidence

She wore scandalous dresses and spent tax dollars on pleasures that failed to benefit the public. Citizens believed she wasted all their hard-earned money. At fifteen, a young Austrian, Antoinette, had an arranged marriage to the future King of France to strengthen relations between Austria and France. Due to her age, Antoinette possessed few resources and little experience acting as a nation 's ruler and role model. Financially, France had a large debt, much of it the result of poor money management by the King and his failing economic policies (Gruben). Citizens blamed many France’s problems on Antoinette, although poor leadership and a lack of money management contributed to many of its financial issues (Gruben). In 1787, France faced bankruptcy because of poor crop seasons, eventually leading to unrest in the cities. The controller of general finances, Charles Alexandre de Calonne, failed to formulate a viable plan to solve the issues, maintaining France’s vulnerable state and lack of finances

At her trial, she defended herself after facing charges of high treason, sexual promiscuity, and incestuous relations (Trial of Marie Antoinette). Government officials pressured Antoinette’s son into making such accusations so they could convict her of more charges An all male jury found her guilty of all charges, and sentenced her to death. Not only Thousands of people came to watch the execution of their former queen (Execution of Marie Antoinette). Antoinette faced criticism for her actions because she failed to meet the public’s view of the “perfect” woman. Antoinette lost popularity by defying public standards and views, yet she continued to act how she felt she should, proving her self-confidence and nonconformity as she supported her and other women’s interests and values throughout the