Louis was born at Versailles on August 23, 1754. In 1770 he married Marie Antoinette, youngest daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria. He was weak and incapable as king and not overly intelligent. He preferred to spend his time at hobbies, such as hunting and making locks, rather than on his duties of state. Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Austria's Francis I and Maria Theresa. Soon after King Louis gained control of the throne, there was a heavy tax burden on France. This meant heavy taxes on the lower classes. It also paved the way for the French Revolution. In 1778 King Louis was forced to have the first meeting of the Estates-General in 175 years. Louis XVI summoned it to deal with the financial crisis of France. In June 1789 the third estate, joined by some of the clergy and nobility, began the Revolution by overthrowing the king and declaring itself a National Assembly. On July 14, 1789, the people of Paris raided the Bastille, and a short time lat!
             er imprisoned the king and royal family in the palace of the Tuileries. In 1791 the royal family attempted to escape to Austria, but they were caught and brought back to Paris. Louis secretly worked against the revolution with French enemies. In 1792 the National Convention declared France a Republic and Louis a traitor. He was put on trial and condemned to death by the guillotine for treason.
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