Early Reforms and Resistance

The new reign began with genuine hope for reform. Louis XVI, despite his youth and inexperience, was known to be moral and well-intentioned. Marie Antoinette, freed from the oppressive presence of Louis XV and his mistress, showed enthusiasm for her new role. Together, they seemed to promise a cleaner, more virtuous monarchy.

Marie Antoinette's early initiatives focused on court reform. She reduced the number of ladies-in-waiting, simplified some ceremonies, and attempted to limit access to the royal apartments. These reforms, modest by any standard, met fierce resistance from those whose privileges were threatened. The Duchess de Polignac later recalled the "horror" among established courtiers at the suggestion that they might not have automatic access to the queen's lever.

The queen also tried to address the moral tone of the court. She discouraged the keeping of official mistresses, promoted married couples, and attempted to reduce gambling. These efforts, while well-intentioned, made her enemies among those who profited from the old system. Anonymous pamphlets began circulating almost immediately, criticizing her as a prudish Austrian trying to destroy French traditions.

More successful were her cultural initiatives. Marie Antoinette's support for music and theater flourished now that she had real power. She commissioned new works, supported struggling artists, and used her influence to promote French culture. The composer Christoph Willibald Gluck, her former music teacher from Vienna, found in her a powerful patron who helped establish his operas in Paris despite initial resistance from supporters of traditional French music.

The queen's household staff during this period left mixed accounts. Some, like Madame Campan, praised her kindness and consideration. Others found her mercurial, given to favorites and sudden changes of mind. The truth likely lies between these extremes—a very young woman trying to exercise authority in an environment where every action was scrutinized and criticized.