Louis XIV r. 1643-1715 “L’État c’est moi” (I am the state) Succeeds to throne in 1643 at age 5 Regency of Giulio Mazzarino or Cardinal Mazarin (‘Richelieu’s shadow’ ) lasts until 1661 Fronde 1649-1652

A 19th century historical study

Versailles Statistics 2,000 acres of grounds 12 miles of roads 27 miles of trellises 200,000 trees 210,000 flowers planted every year 80 miles of rows of trees 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal 12 miles of enclosing walls 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles 21 miles of water conduits 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed 26 acres of roof 51,210 square meters of floors 2,153 windows 700 rooms 67 staircases 6,000 paintings 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings 2,100 sculptures 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden Andre le Nôtre designed the grounds

Leisure “activities” of the aristocracy Gambling Music Games Embroidery Food Art Hunting Ballet

Jean-Baptiste Colbert 1616-1683 French Minister of Finance 1665-1683 (under Louis XIV) His mercantilist economic policies helped to finance the extravagance of the Sun King’s reign (Versailles Palace for ex.) There are 4 professions of importance to the nation: Agriculture Trade Army Navy Uniform weights & measures. Opposed tolls on internal trade.

Mercantilism Term used to describe the dominant economic principles of 17th and 18th century Europe The term mercantile system is used Adam Smith in On the Wealth of Nations 1776 Major mercantilist countries include: France, Spain, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Portugal

Colbert’s mercantilist policies con’t. Expansion of French territories Acquired Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe in the West Indies (Caribbean) for sugar plantations

Colbert’s policies con’t Encouraged settlement of colonies in Louisiana, Canada, Santo Domingo (Dominican Rep.) Sponsored the explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle Explored the Great Lakes, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers 1682 reached Gulf of Mexico & claimed the Mississippi R. Valley for Louis XIV

Colbert’s mercantilist policies con’t High tariffs on foreign manufactured goods -1665 tariff on foreign sugar to protect French refineries in Marseilles, Orleans and Nantes e.g. Supported population growth -Discouraged the young from taking holy orders -Families of 10 or more were exempt from taxation

World map 1570

17c Dutch Global Commerce

Characteristics of Mercantilism 1. “Bullionism” – the economic health of a nation is measured by the amount of precious metal (gold or silver) it possessed. 2. Trade was to be carried out between the mother country and colonies or provinces 3. A “favorable” balance of trade was desired to benefit the mother country Exports > imports (trade surplus) High tariffs on imported manufactured goods Low tariffs on imported raw materials Colonies cannot trade with anyone but the mother country

Examples of raw materials

Brazil and the Portuguese

Characteristics continued… Manufacturing in mother country is encouraged Goods produced are sold domestically and as exports

4. … colonies = ‘captive’ market, a closed circle of trade is ideal Manufactured goods Mother Country Colony Raw materials Cheap labor Agricultural self-sufficiency of mother country Sea power is necessary to protect colonies and control foreign markets 7. Mother country imposes taxes of all kinds to achieve these goals

One example of a commodity: Sugar production

The finished products

Sugar production then and now

More manufactured goods

Manufacture of cocoa beans

The finished product!