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Primary Sources These are three Primary Sources from the time Marie Antoinette was alive. A primary source is anything written, created or otherwise produced during a period of time, such as a painting, speech or letter. This is followed by a Historians interpretation of the sources, which is a secondary source. After is an explanation of what Source 3 reveals about Marie Antoinette, her life and legacy. Followed by a discussion about the three sources and the difference in perspective of Marie Antoinette within them. Press to Play: media type="file" key="Marie Antoinette Soundtrack - 05 - New Order - Ceremony .mp3" align="center" width="240" height="20"

**Source 1: **

**Source 2: ** //I absolutely blush for your kindness to me. The day before yesterday Mercy sent me your precious letter, and yesterday I received a second. That is indeed passing one's fête day happily. On Tuesday I had a fête which I shall never forget all my life. We made our entrance into Paris. As for honors, we received all that we could possibly imagine; but they, though very well in their way, were not what touched me most. What was really affecting was the tenderness and earnestness of the poor people, who, in spite of the taxes with which they are overwhelmed, were transported with joy at seeing us. When we went to walk in the Tuileries, there was so vast a crowd that we were three-quarters of an hour without being able to move either forward or backward. The dauphin and I gave repeated orders to the Guards not to beat any one, which had a very good effect. Such excellent order was kept the whole day that, in spite of the enormous crowd which followed us everywhere, not a person was hurt. When we returned from our walk we went up to an open terrace and stayed there half an hour. I cannot describe to you, my dear mamma, the transports of joy and affection which every one exhibited towards us. Before we withdrew we kissed our hands to the people, which gave them great pleasure. What a happy thing it is for persons in our rank to gain the love of a whole nation so cheaply. Yet there is nothing so precious; I felt it thoroughly, and shall never forget it. // //Another circumstance, which gave great pleasure on that glorious day, was the behavior of the dauphin. He made admirable replies to every address, // //and remarked everything that was done in his honor, and especially the earnestness and delight of the people, to whom he showed great kindness. // ||
 * = **//VERSAILLES, June 14. //**  **//MY DEAREST MOTHER,-- //**
 * This source is an extract from a letter written by Marie Antoinette on the 14th June 1773 to her mother, Empress Maria Theresa. Marie Antoinette wrote in Versailles about a day she spent with her husband, the Dauphin of France, out at a fête in response to a letter from her mother passed to Marie Antoinette by the Austrian Ambassador to the Court of Versailles, Mercy-Argenteau. ||
 * This source is an extract from a letter written by Marie Antoinette on the 14th June 1773 to her mother, Empress Maria Theresa. Marie Antoinette wrote in Versailles about a day she spent with her husband, the Dauphin of France, out at a fête in response to a letter from her mother passed to Marie Antoinette by the Austrian Ambassador to the Court of Versailles, Mercy-Argenteau. ||

**Source 3: **

**Life and Legacy ** This painting from the year 1787 clearly depicts Marie Antoinette’s lavish lifestyle and legacy. Although her dress is not as extravagant as seen in earlier paintings, it still represents her luxurious, regal and expensive taste in fashion. This is further evident when looking at the rich furnishing’s Marie Antoinette and her children are surrounded by, and the opulent clothing her children are dressed in. Marie Antoinette’s legacy includes her rich and magnificent fashion and being a loving mother to all her children. This source plainly illustrates the mutual love and affection between Marie Antoinette and her children through their poses and places in the painting. This painting reveals to historians how, although Marie Antoinette did indulge herself in extravagant fashion and loved spending ridiculous amounts of money, she was also a responsible mother who loved and cared for all her children greatly.
 * Source 3: **

**Different Perspectives of Sources **

Source 2 is a letter written by Marie Antoinette to her mother describing a day she spent out with her husband. She describes the huge crowds saying, “…the tenderness and earnestness of the poor people, who…were transported with joy at seeing us.” Her words make it evident how young she is and how much she does not understand about the world and her duty towards her people. To, not only put on a show and good public image but assist in the everyday life “of the poor people”. This painting of Marie Antoinette, Source 1, illustrates an entirely different view of Marie Antoinette, her indulgence in frivolous spending and extravagant fashion, exhibited by the luxurious, magnificent court dress she is wearing and towering feathers protruding from her wig. It was painted in 1778, one of the many years Marie Antoinette spent living France’s nightlife, dancing and gambling the night away and earning herself various names and a public knowledge of her reckless spending on fashion which builds public hatred. After years of vicious rumours and public speculation fuelled by revolutionary pamphlets Marie Antoinette poses with her children for this painting in 1787. The painting (Source 3) is a last attempt to win back the hearts of her people for the monarchy. The Queen hoped to show herself as an affectionate and loving mother of her children in simple, yet still regal attire. Source 3 also implicates an increase in maturity within Marie Antoinette from a decade ago, a possible result of having children and learning to be a responsible mother.

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