The last monarch of France before the revolution was King Louis XVI. He ascended to the throne in 1774 and ruled during a period marked by financial crisis, social unrest, and escalating discontent among the population. Louis XVI's attempts to reform the tax system and reduce the influence of the nobility were met with resistance, leading to turmoil. His inability to effectively address the economic plight of the common people or manage rising revolutionary sentiments contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. Ultimately, Louis XVI was arrested, tried for treason, and executed by guillotine in 1793, symbolizing the end of absolute monarchy in France.