2017-01-21 Sat

The execution of Louis XVI that took place on 21 January 1793 was a major event of the French Revolution.

Louis XVI, king of France, ascended the throne in 1774. His accession to the throne turned out to be very unfortunate, as the country during, the late 18th century was going through a major chaos and the king was unable to deal with the severe financial problems that he had inherited from his ancestors.

With the economy spiraled downwards the people were not happy with the current governance. The extravagant lifestyle of the noblemen and the royalties, as well as their casual attitude towards the situation, fuelled the unrest among the mob who forced Louis to reinstate from the power. Feeling that power was shifting to their side, the mob forced the imprisonment of Louis and his family.

On January 20, 1793, the National Convention condemned Louis XVI to death, his execution scheduled for the next day. On 21st January 1793, he walked to the guillotine and was executed. Nine months later, Marie Antoinette was convicted of treason by a tribunal, and on October 16 she followed her husband to the guillotine.

Hence, the French Revolution came to an end and a new Era – the Napoleonic Era – began which left a major impact on the history of the nation.