Define the following terms: flight to Varennes

Question

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The Answer is The Flight to Varennes refers to a significant event during the French Revolution when King Louis XVI of France and his family attempted to escape from Paris in order to initiate a counter-revolution from the royalist stronghold of Montmédy in northeastern France. This event took place on the night of June 20-21, 1791.

The royal family's escape plan was to discreetly leave the Tuileries Palace in Paris and reach the fortress of Montmédy, where they hoped to be protected by loyal troops. The king, queen Marie Antoinette, their children, and a few loyal attendants disguised themselves as servants, while their escape was facilitated by a Swedish count named Axel von Fersen.

However, the plan was poorly executed and the royal family was recognized and apprehended at the town of Varennes-en-Argonne. Their capture was a turning point in the revolution, as it exposed the king's lack of commitment to the constitutional monarchy that had been established by the Revolution and increased the public's distrust towards the monarchy.

The failed escape attempt had profound consequences. It led to a radicalization of the Revolution, the eventual abolition of the monarchy, and the establishment of the First French Republic. It also contributed to the increasing hostility towards the king and queen, which ultimately led to their trial and execution. The Flight to Varennes is often seen as a pivotal moment that sealed the fate of the French monarchy.

Define the Following Terms: Flight to Varennes