Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of France. He was 20 years old and married to the Austrian princess Marie Antoinette. Upon his accession the new king found an empty treasury. Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. Added to this was the cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immense palace of Versailles. Under Louis XVI, France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from the common enemy, Britain. The war added more than a billion Livres to a debt that had already risen to more than 2 billion Livres.
Questions
(i) Who was Louis XVI?
(ii) What factors compelled him to increase the taxes?
(iii) What do you mean by the term ‘Livre’?

Answer 1

Answer:

(i) He was the king of France

(ii) The war added more than a million livres to debt. To meet the regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining the army, the court, running government offices, the state was compelled to increase the taxes.

(iii) livre was the currency of France