Final answer:
In 1789, the French Revolution began, which led to the erosion of the monarchy's power and the eventual execution of King Louis XVI by guillotine in 1793. This event was part of a larger series of revolutions and changes in France that ultimately ended the practice of monarchical rule in the country.
Step-by-step explanation:
What Happened to the French King in 1789?
In 1789, the significant event concerning the French monarchy was the beginning of the French Revolution and the eventual downfall of King Louis XVI. On January 21, 1793, after a series of revolutionary events that eroded royal power, Louis XVI was guillotined at the Place de la Concorde, marking the dramatic end of his reign and the monarchy's authority in France. Prior to this, the King and his family tried to flee the country but were caught and placed under house arrest. This period paved the way for radical changes in France, including the rise of the Jacobins and the period known as the Terror.
Following the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, France went through a turbulent time with the rise of the radical Jacobins, the Reign of Terror, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. The monarchy was restored temporarily after Napoleon's defeat, but faced further revolutions and changes, leading to the abdication of King Louis-Philippe in 1848 and the establishment of the Second Republic. Despite attempts at constitutional monarchy, France would eventually abandon the monarchy entirely after these tumultuous times.