Execution of Marie Antoinette

• Marie Antoinette was arrested and imprisoned.
• Marie Antoinette faced trial by the Revolutionary Tribunal.
• Marie Antoinette was found guilty of treason.
• Marie Antoinette was sentenced to death by guillotine.
• Marie Antoinette was executed in the Place de la Révolution.

Marie Antoinette, born Archduchess of Austria and later Queen of France, faced her execution on 16 October 1793. Following the wave of revolutionary fervor that began in 1789, the monarchy became a target for those seeking equality and the end of aristocratic privilege. Her extravagant lifestyle and perceived indifference towards the plight of the French people earned her the nickname "Madame Déficit."

In early 1793, after the French monarchy was abolished in 1792 and King Louis XVI was executed in January 1793, Marie Antoinette was imprisoned in the Conciergerie. Accused of high treason, theft, and conspiracy against the state, she was brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal. The Tribunal (a court established during the Revolution to try political offenders) subjected her to severe interrogation.

The trial, beginning on 14 October 1793, was marked by pronounced accusations and minimal opportunity for defense. One of the most scandalous charges included an allegation (levied by Hébert, a radical journalist) of incest with her son, an accusation she vehemently denied. Despite her attempts to counter the charges, the Tribunal found her guilty.

Her execution by guillotine took place at the Place de la Révolution (now Place de la Concorde). At 37 years old, she faced her death with reported dignity, requesting pardon for her missteps. The spectacle drew large crowds, eager to witness the fall of a symbol of the ancien régime.

Marie Antoinette's demise marked a significant event within the Reign of Terror (1793-1794). This period saw the radicalization of the French Revolution, resulting in numerous executions of perceived enemies of the state. The use of the guillotine became a common method for carrying out capital punishment, emphasizing the revolution's egalitarian yet brutal nature. As with many during this time, Marie Antoinette was a figure who both deeply divided public opinion and became emblematic of broader political and social upheavals.

• Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793, just 10 months after her husband, King Louis XVI, met the same fate.
• In her final moments, Marie Antoinette was still referred to as 'Madame' rather than by her royal title, illustrating her dramatic fall from grace.
• The former queen's last words were reportedly asking for forgiveness after accidentally stepping on the foot of her executioner, a seemingly trivial incident that revealed her vulnerability.
• Marie Antoinette was not only held in high regard for her fashion and beauty but also became a symbol of extravagance and excess during a time of severe national poverty.
• Despite her questionable reputation as a foreign queen, Marie Antoinette was initially well-liked for her charitable endeavors, including helping the poor in Paris by creating welfare programs before the Revolution.
• The execution of Marie Antoinette marked a significant turning point in the Revolution, inciting both fervent supporters and staunch opponents of the revolutionary government.