Jean-Baptiste Colbert (jan 17, 1619 – jan 23, 1622)
Description:
- Controller General of Finances under Louis XIV
- relied on Mercantilism as financial backing for the state; founded new luxury industries; France became valuable through selling high-priced goods
- ran a government finance like a business
- Absolute system had him (Controller-general) at top with his book keepers
- formed a government by inquiry; looked for every natural resource every area had to offer
- Each department had a Register--all transactions had to be recorded; at the end of the month, presented to the king for signing
- Built roads and canals to stimulate trade
- raised tariffs on foreign goods
- however, some complained about how oppresive his regulations were
- so confusing were his rules that they were rarely followed; regulations were evaded
- money of long-supporting bourgeois could buy high positions of power
- despite Colbert's raking in of money, Louis just spent it all, meaning his policies were ulitmately self-defeating and left France in debt
- however, economic growth simulated European's 18th century power
Added to timeline:
Unit IV Timeline
Date:
