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Louis Philippe I

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Louis Philippe I was a significant French monarch who ruled from 1830 to 1848.

He is often remembered by the nickname "the Citizen King." He was the last French monarch to hold the title of "King." He belonged to the Orléans branch of the House of Bourbon. This branch was a cadet, or junior, line of the main royal family. His reign is historically known as the July Monarchy. This period was defined by the influence of wealthy bankers and industrialists.

Louis-philippe.lami
Louis-philippe.lami

Louis Philippe grew up during a time of massive political change. He was born in the Palais-Royal in Paris to the Duke of Orléans. His education was led by the Countess of Genlis starting in 1782. She taught him liberal ideas and a specific brand of Catholicism. As a young man, he held the hereditary rank of Colonel of the Chartres Dragoons. He earned a reputation for personal bravery in several dangerous situations. He once rescued two priests from an angry crowd. He also dove into a river to save a drowning engineer.

Cognet - Louis Philippe d'Orléans, duc de Chartres (1792)
Cognet - Louis Philippe d'Orléans, duc de Chartres (1792)

His military career progressed rapidly during the French Revolutionary Wars. By the age of 19, he had reached the rank of lieutenant general. He participated in several battles, including the Battle of Valmy in 1792. During the Valmy campaign, he placed an artillery battery on a hill crest. He also led units during the attack at Jemappes. However, political shifts in Paris changed his life forever. The National Convention decided to execute King Louis XVI. This decision caused Louis Philippe to break with the First French Republic.

Louis-Philippe duc d'Orléans d'après Sharpless (1797)
Louis-Philippe duc d'Orléans d'après Sharpless (1797)

Political instability forced Louis Philippe into a long period of exile. He became involved in a plan by General Dumouriez to restore the constitution. This involvement was seen as treason by the French government. In 1793, he had to flee France to protect his life. He spent the next 21 years living in other countries. During this time, he worked as a teacher in Switzerland. He taught subjects such as geography, history, and mathematics.

Winterhalter - Louis-Philippe d'Orléans duc de Chartres (futur roi Louis-Philippe) à Reichenau
Winterhalter - Louis-Philippe d'Orléans duc de Chartres (futur roi Louis-Philippe) à Reichenau

He returned to power following the July Revolution of 1830. This revolution forced his distant cousin, Charles X, to abdicate the throne. Louis Philippe was proclaimed king and took an oath to the Charter of 1830.

Louis-Philippe serment 1830
Louis-Philippe serment 1830

His government focused on conservative policies. He worked closely with the statesman François Guizot. Louis Philippe also sought to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom. His reign saw the expansion of French colonies, including the conquest of Algeria.

By the late 1840s, the stability of his rule began to fail. Economic conditions in France worsened significantly in 1847. This economic decline caused his popularity to fade among the people. The French Revolution of 1848 eventually broke out. This revolution forced Louis Philippe to abdicate his throne. He left France and lived the rest of his life in the United Kingdom. His departure led to the start of the French Second Republic.

Louis Philippe left a large legacy through his many descendants. His grandchildren became rulers in several different European nations. For example, his descendants included King Leopold II of Belgium and Queen Mercedes of Spain. Other descendants included Empress Carlota of Mexico and Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria. His family connections linked the Orléans line to many major political systems across Europe.

Louise d'Orléans, reine des Belges
Louise d'Orléans, reine des Belges
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🖼️ Images & Media (27)
File:Louis-Philippe d’Orléans 1787.jpg
Louis-Philippe d’Orléans 1787.jpg
File:Cognet - Louis Philippe d'Orléans, duc de Chartres (1792).jpg
Cognet - Louis Philippe d'Orléans, duc de...
File:Winterhalter - Louis-Philippe d'Orléans duc de Chartres (futur roi Louis-Philippe) à Reichenau.jpg
Winterhalter - Louis-Philippe d'Orléans...
File:Louis-Philippe duc d'Orléans d'après Sharpless (1797).jpg
Louis-Philippe duc d'Orléans d'après...
File:Somerindyke estate on Bloomingdale Road, near 75th St; Interior of Somerindyke House, in which Louis Philippe (late king of the French) taught school (NYPL b13476048-422069).jpg
Somerindyke estate on Bloomingdale Road,...
File:LouisPhilippeBostonOysterHousePlaque.jpg
LouisPhilippeBostonOysterHousePlaque.jpg
File:Marie Amélie, Duchess of Orléans with her son the Duke of Chartres.jpg
Marie Amélie, Duchess of Orléans with her...
File:Vernet - 31 juillet 1830 - Louis-Philippe quitte le Palais-Royal.jpg
Vernet - 31 juillet 1830 - Louis-Philippe...
File:Louis-Philippe serment 1830.jpg
Louis-Philippe serment 1830.jpg
File:Louis philippe 1835 par desnos.jpeg
Louis philippe 1835 par desnos.jpeg
File:Louis-philippe.lami.jpg
Louis-philippe.lami.jpg
File:Eugène-Louis Lami 001.jpg
Eugène-Louis Lami 001.jpg

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