The Death of Louis XVI
On 21 January 1793, King Louis XVI, whose decision made the birth of the American Republic possible, died on the scaffold
Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, on Sunday 21 January 1793, at a little past ten o’clock, King Louis XVI died on the scaffold. The king “whose decision made the birth of a Republic possible” was condemned to death by the Convention and executed by guillotine.
- Date: 21 January 1793
- Location: Place de la Révolution (now Place de la Concorde), Paris
- Context: Death sentence by the National Convention
Louis XVI showed a sustained interest in and genuine mastery of geographical and maritime affairs. This interest played a decisive role in securing the independence of the United States of America. Upon his accession to the throne, the French navy was still quite weak. Under the influence of his ministers Sartine and then Castries, numerous reforms were undertaken in favour of the Navy.
According to the historian Étienne Taillemite, in his work Louis XVI ou le navigateur immobile, it was the personal decision of Louis XVI, after careful deliberation — notably with his minister Vergennes — and extensive consultations, to have the Treaty of Alliance of 6 February 1778 signed with the representatives of the revolted English colonies. This decision and this treaty marked the official beginning of the commitment of the entire French nation, and particularly its navy, to a conflict that would last more than five years, unfold on every sea, and without which the thirteen revolted colonies might have remained under British control for a very long time.
This essential role of France is rather poorly recognised in the United States today, and even in France, and it is our duty to recall it. It should be noted, however, that on 21 January 1993, for the bicentenary commemoration of the execution of King Louis XVI, the United States Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Walter Curley, came to pay tribute to him on the very spot where the guillotine had stood in 1793, on the present-day Place de la Concorde. Mr Curley officially honoured the memory of the king. He also recalled on this occasion that the expenditure incurred by the American war contributed to the difficulties of the royal treasury, leading to the revolutionary events that would prove fatal to the king.
On the scaffold, the king’s courage impressed the crowd: “Gentlemen, I am innocent of all the charges brought against me; I wish that my blood may cement the happiness of the French people,” Louis XVI managed to declare, before his voice was drowned out by the roll of drums.
At 10:22, the King of France expired beneath the blade of the guillotine.