HIST 115 Chapter 3: History 115 - Effects of French Economic Policy
Document Summary
The effects of french economic policy have been equally damaging. The principle promoted by french colonial officials was that western trading and manufacturing activities would produce rapid economic growth. Ultimately this was meant to turn vietnam into a technologically advanced industrial society, on the western model. In reality, the primary goal of colonial policy was to provide cheap raw materials for french industry and a market for french manufactured goods. Consequently, colonial policy actively discouraged the production of a manufacturing sector which would compete with french imports. For example, it was forbidden to the vietnamese to produce local rice wine often used for ceremonial purposes which could compete with the importation of french wines made from grape. Tariff policeman favored importing cheap machine-made goods from france, a practice that deprived the vietnamese villages of the traditional handicrafts industry. It is true that the exports of raw materials generated revenues for some residents of indochina.
