(http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/searchimages/187.jpg)
Whether it be in a good or bad way, a monarch always has the power and ability to alter the frame of mind of his or her people. At times, said power can be too much for a king or queen to handle. On the night of June 20, 1791 King Louis XVI, along with his queen Marie Antoinette and their two children, set out to escape from their palace in Versailles. By attempting to escape, Louis XVI ventured to strip himself of all responsibilities pertaining to the thrown, a measure that any principled king would not have even considered. The king and his family tried to lay low for a short period of time; however, this attempt was soon proven to be unsuccessful. For example, the king was recognized by a local post master in the city of Sainte-Menehould. Another person who identified the royal family contacted the National Guard. When the royal family was transferring toVarennes for the night, this voyage is often referred to as the "Flight to Varennes," the National Guard was there waiting to take the king and his family back to Paris. This attempted escape left Louis XVI distrusted by his people with very little hope of ever gaining power or their trust back. When the king and his family returned to Paris they were looked at with pure disgust. Troubles occurring on the inside of the royal family soon led to France's formal declaration of war on Austria. However, the king and queen continued to deceive the citizens of their country and they were soon after thrown in jail for tyranny during peacetime and treason, respectively. The attempted escape of King Louis XVI and his family brought the king to an even more dangerous position than the one he had been in before. Ultimately, his failed escape led to the well deserved death of King Louis XVI.
