Question

how did the flight to varennes and the execution of king louis xvi change the way people viewed the monarchy? explain how these events weakened the king’s power and increased support for the revolution. use details from the lesson in your response. type your answer in the box.

Explanation:

The Flight to Varennes (1791) showed King Louis XVI’s attempt to flee France, undermining his claim to support the revolution. This made people see him as a traitor to revolutionary ideals, eroding trust in the monarchy. His execution (1793) symbolized the end of monarchical authority; the king, once seen as divinely ordained, was held accountable by the people. These events weakened the king’s power by stripping his legitimacy—citizens no longer viewed the monarchy as inviolable. Support for the revolution grew as the monarchy’s failures (flight) and its violent end (execution) radicalized many, showing that the old order could be overthrown, and fueling the revolution’s momentum.

Answer:

The Flight to Varennes (1791) revealed King Louis XVI’s attempt to abandon the revolution, portraying him as a traitor to revolutionary goals and eroding the monarchy’s legitimacy. His execution (1793) symbolized the end of monarchical authority, as the king—once seen as divinely ordained—was held accountable by the people. These events weakened the king’s power by stripping his legitimacy (citizens no longer viewed the monarchy as inviolable) and increased revolutionary support: the king’s flight showed the monarchy’s disloyalty to reform, while his execution demonstrated the old order could be overthrown, radicalizing many to back the revolution’s push for change.