Queen Victoria

 

    
Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 in Kensington Palace, London. She was the daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent. After her father’s death she became heir to the throne because her uncles did not have children who survived. After his Uncle William IV’s death, she became queen in 1837 at the age of 18. She was associated with industrial expansion, economic progress and empire in Britain. During her reign, two men influenced her life: Lord Melbourne, first Prime Minister, and Prince Albert, her husband. These two men taught her how to rule in a constitutional monarchy using influence even if she had little power.^[1] She began her royal career wishing to be good. She longed not only temporary, but permanent peace of Europe and of the world.^[2]

     Queen Victoria and Prince Albert got married in 1840, and they had nine children between 1840 and 1857. Albert died in 1861 at the age of 42, which caused Victoria to got depressed. Victoria’s good qualities were honesty, generosity and loyalty which compensate for her display of emotions; these were exceptionally seen during her marriage life.^[3] Throughout her reign, she wore black. She barely appeared in front of people and was unwilling to resume a public life again. She died on January 22, 1901 at Osborne house on the Isle of Wight. She reigned to 64 years, which was the longest in British history. ^[4] 

     Queen Victoria’s death made a great impression upon the world because of her long reign, pure and noble womanhood, and power for righteousness, and her influence for peace among the nations. This became her uppermost desire of her soul. Although there were many critics about her, she escaped those personal critics, and she won the love of many people in all lands.^[5] Her influence and popularity was well taken seriously to heart by many English people and her desire for peace deepened her to the last. 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Costigan, Giovanni. “Queen Victoria: From Her Birth to the Death of the Prince Consort.”

     The American Historical Review 78, no. 5 (1973): 1463-1464. doi: 10.2307/1854144

“Queen Victoria’s Death.” The Advocate of Peace 63, no.2 (1901): 25-26,

Victoria. The British Monarchy. Last modified 2009.

     http://www.royal.gov.uk/historyofthemonarchy/kingsandqueensoftheunitedkingdom/thehanoverians/victoria.aspx

 

 

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^[1] Victoria, The British Monarchy, last modified 2009, http://www.royal.gov.uk/historyofthemonarchy/kingsandqueensoftheunitedkingdom/thehanoverians/victoria.aspx

^[2] “Queen Victoria’s Death,” The Advocate of Peace 63, no.2 (1901): 25.

^[3] Giovanni Costigan, “Queen Victoria: From Her Birth to to the Death of the Prince Consort,” The American Historical Review 78, no. 5 (1973):1464. doi: 10.2307/1854144

^[4] Ibid.

^[5] Ibid., 25-26.

Marie Antoinette

     Antoinette was one of the tragic figures in European history. She was born in Vienna, Austria in November 2, 1755.[1] She was the 15^th child of Roman Emperor Francis I and Habsburg empress Maria Theresa. At the age of 15, she got married with the French king Louis XVI. Her marriage was difficult. There was a pornographic rumors. During the American Revolution in 18^th century, French intervened, which led to abundance of debt for the French state. Owners of the Catholic churches and the nobility did not have to pay for taxes, while the ordinary people were squeezed with the high taxes that were imposed. Marie Antoinette became the target of vicious gossip during the criticisms about the French Monarchy.[2] In June 1791, the couple fled Paris and went to Marie’s brother, a Roman Emperor, which in turn, made her seem to be a traitor. During the French Revolution in 1789, her family had to “live under the supervision of revolutionary authorities.”[3] King Louis XVI was executed in 1793, while Marie Antoinette was arrested. She was falsely accused with sexual abuse against her own son; and was found guilty. She was imprisoned and beheaded on October 16, 1793 by the order of the Revolutionary tribunal. However, the night before her execution she wrote, “I am calm…as people are whose conscience is clear.” [4] Marie Antoinette’s existence is believed to be significant, especially in French Revolution.

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                [1] Marie Antoinette Biography, Bio True Story, last modified 2014, http://www.biography.com/people/marie-antoinette-9398996?page=3

                [2] T.C.W. Blanning, The Culture of power and the power of culture: old regime Europe, 1660-1789 (Oxford University Press, 2002).

                [3] Marie-Antoinette, A&E History Networks Digital, last modified 2014, http://www.history.com/topics/marie-antoinette

                [4] Ibid.