To: Tom Clarke who wrote (791986 ) 7/14/2025 9:43:01 AM From: Maple MAGA 2 RecommendationsRecommended By
Respond to The French are a lot like the lowly bred Marxist Dems we have swarming about today."Let them eat cake," Support for the Poor and Sick Donated to the poor regularly : Marie Antoinette gave significant sums from her personal allowance to charitable causes, especially to hospitals, orphanages, and the poor of Paris and Versailles. Patron of the Hôtel-Dieu : She supported the oldest hospital in Paris, the Hôtel-Dieu, donating money and personally visiting the sick. Adoption and Guardianship of Children Adopted children : She took in several children over the years, not as symbolic gestures, but to raise and care for them: Armand , a poor orphan, was adopted and raised alongside her own children. She supported the children of her servants and staff, sometimes paying for their education or dowries. Promotion of Female Education Supported female education : Marie Antoinette was a patron of the Maison Philanthropique, a charitable institution that educated and cared for young girls from poor backgrounds. Support for Artists and Craftsmen Patronage of the arts : She provided financial and social support to many struggling musicians, painters, and artisans. She encouraged the development of Sèvres porcelain and French silk industries, helping local economies and artisans. Efforts During Famine Sold royal treasures : During famines in the 1780s, she sold or pawned pieces of her jewelry to raise funds for grain and food relief efforts. Built a model farm (Hameau de la Reine) : Although sometimes mocked, the hamlet at Versailles was partly meant to promote progressive agricultural practices and education in farming. Discretion in Charity Marie Antoinette often gave in secret, particularly in her early years as queen, preferring not to publicize her good deeds — a fact that unfortunately left her more vulnerable to public criticism.
