French Mercantilism
Mercantilism, the collection of governmental policies that regulated economic- mainly
commercial - activities, by and for the state, that spread throughout Europe, especially in France,
during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This theory held that a nation's international
power was based upon it's wealth, specifically it's gold and silver supply. The mercantilist theory,
also known as Colbertism or Bullionism, that swept though France had a major impact upon its
changing domestic and foreign policies throughout the seventeenth and early eighteenth
centuries, and was geared toward strengthening the economic vitality of the state at the expense
of one's real or potential enemies. The three main architects of French mercantile policies, the
economic side of absolutism, were Maximillian de Bethune, Duke of Sully ( 1560-1641), Armand
du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642), and Jean-Baptist Colbert (1619-1683).
Henry IV's great economic advisor, the Duke of Sully, laid the foundation for mercantilism in
the French economy by recognizing the importance of commercial activities and overseas trade, as
well as state encouraged economic growth and expansion. Sully, during his lifetime, proved
himself as a financial genius within the court of Henry IV of France, and in the twelve short years
before Henry's death in 1610, Sully had restored the public order in France and defined the basis
for economic prosperity, with the government growing into one that was progressive and
promising by standards of the time. Sully was able to reduce the royal debt by reviving the
paulette tax on people who purchased financial and judicial ...
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...dustries that they established, and
the prosperity that developed under their control of France's finances helped shape a progressive
and industrious nation, for a time. Sully was able to crush France's royal debt and increase it's
treasury, while also dreaming of international peace. Richelieu was able to set the cornerstone for
French absolutism and meanwhile trying to destroy the Hapsburg holdings. And under Colbert,
French industry flourished from his support, until 1685, when peasants began to emigrate
because of taxes, poor harvests, and fluctuation in the price of grain. With the decline in the
number of the taxable population from that point on, the state's resources fell. Thus, a total lack
of a tax base and heavy expenditure for war during this time made Colbert's, Sully's, and
Richelieu's goals useless and unattainable.
One of the most notable of which would be his decision to completely reconstruct a new palace at Versailles. Such a great expenditure is blatantly criticized in Doc 7 where the Duc de Saint-Simon states, “the foundations and groves have buried more money than could ever appear”. Such expenditures, undoubtedly funded by taxpayer dollars expose Louis’ extremely self-serving distribution of funds when it came to matters of his own comfort. However, it is important to realize that Doc 7, written by a noble, must also be read with a watchful eye. The Duc de Saint-Simon’s assertions could possibly, though construction of a new palace would likely cost a tremendous amount of capital, be riddled by bias as a result of the absolutist King’s extreme suppression of nobility perks and privileges. The idea that Louis acted in his own interest in terms of capital distribution may be explained away by such bias had it not been for the evidence presented in Doc 4. Though on the surface it seems to show the public’s appreciation for the King, one must acknowledge the fact that an ‘inscription on a ceremonial arch of great architectural importance in Tournai’ was most likely commissioned by the King, and again funded by taxpayer dollars. Such a commission would expose the fact that the words stated in the inscription is not the point of view of the French people, but rather the desired
It was expected to result in a favorable balance of trade, with imports not exceeding exports. The significance of this term is that this system allowed gold and silver to flow into England, bringing economic expansion. As a result, these mercantile policies laid the ground for overseas colonization and allowed England to rise as a challenge to Spanish power in the New World.
After the civil war, America found itself with a high production rate, resulting in overproduction and falling of prices, as well as an increase on economic stress and the beginning of panic and prosperity cycles. The wars demand for products had called for a more efficient production system; therefore new machinery had come into place. New tools, such as the reaper, shown in document D, the wheat harvest of 1880, were introduced and facilitated production for farmers, making overproduction more probable. Variation on prices than begun to occur as shown in document A, Agriculture prices in 1865-1900, where a greater amount of goods became available for a more convenient price. This had farmers in distress, for they were losing more money than they were making.
the situation as Congress found itself powerless to levy taxes to pay off the war
of Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI each contributed to the
There are many cumulative events that have influenced Western Civilization reflective in today’s modern world, but the most impactful was the French Revolution. Western Civilization has many historic milestones building to the world as we know it, but none set such broad themes that are felt in our everyday life. Many of these themes have become so ingrained into the way we live that we can’t understand a world without them. For this reason, the effects of the French Revolution molded the westernized world more so than any other event. I consider the French Revolution the catalyst to how our world is shaped today. It’s ideas and events continue to echo through our lives century after century.
debts to pay, and thought he could extract the necessary money from the colonies. King
King Louis the XVI had made the French people mad when he had put the country in debt so much because he donated so much money to the Americans.
Louis XIV is considered the “perfect absolutist” and he has been said to have been one of the greatest rulers in France’s history. He came up with several different strategic plans to gain absolute
With his fathers death he inherited a stable realm with a wealthy monarch. At that time parliament had not been summoned for supplies in 5 years. Henry’s different interests and lack of application of government business increased the influence of Thomas Wolsey, a son of a butcher, who became the Lord Chancellor in 1515. Wolsey ended up becoming one of the most powerful ministers in all of British history. He was also appointed Cardinal that year and given papal legate powers that allowed him to counter any decision made by archbishop of Canterbury. It allowed him to “govern” t...
...search for a way to relieve the national debt, however policies by financial ministers like Jacques Neckler and Charles Alexandre de Calonne increased the debt even more. Louis would attempt to evoke the Assembly of Notables, which consisted of nobles, and later the Estates-General, which consisted of peasants, to ease the economic burden. However, both assemblies were shocked and disgruntled with the poor economy, and revoked the power of the King, leading to the French Revolution and forever abolishing absolutism from France.
Much like Britain and their need for money, King Louis XVI needed money due to causing France to become bankrupt with his costly
Of all the absolute rulers in Europe, by far the best example of one, and the most powerful, was Louis XIV of France. Although Louis had some failures, he also had many successes. He controlled France’s money and had many different ways to get, as well as keep his power, and he knew how to delegate jobs to smart, but loyal people.
States not only to achieve financial prosperity, but to get out of the chaotic environment that
I side with Loades on this as despite resentment from the nobles, after the Perkin Warbeck imposture there were no more serious uprisings which strongly support the success of Henry’s policies. Whilst most nobles would see his methods as unjust (especially the wide of use bonds and recognisances) Henry succeeded in increasing the crown’s standing at the expense of the nobility, securing his position whilst weakening the nobles. Through most of his policies Henry was successful in limiting the powers of nobility. Henry sought to restrict the noble’s power and yet at the same time needed them to keep order and represent him at local levels, therefore Henry sought not to destroy the nobles but to weaken them enough that they did not pose a threat, he needed a balance of control over the nobles and strong nobility.