UGC 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Thirteen Colonies, Maximilien Robespierre, Absolute Monarchy
Document Summary
France turned up sided down revolution design ways to improve the economy. Louis xiv (absolute monarch - catholic) and his minister, j-b colbert was to. Infrastructure - building roads, bridges, harbors, port - transportation. Trade at home and abroad (think export) - mercantilism. Colonialism - captive markets - how they get money. Domestic tax base - can"t pay for all of those improvements without one. Present tax base - three estates (social classes) Church - own 10% of france (no taxes & a voluntary contribution) Nobles - 25% of france, pay no taxes to sneak of. Most of france belongs to king by god. Taxes fall on 3rd estate, including things like a forced salt tax (gabelle) Require to buy a certain amount with tax charges. There are old (feudal) taxes direct + indirect like la corvee (forced labor) As colbert brings cash in, louis xiv sends cash out. On wars of conquest (louis wanted to be major european figure)