Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Jean-Baptiste Colbert (August 29, 1619 – September 6, 1683) served as the French minister of finance for 22 years under King Louis XIV. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing and bringing the economy back from the brink of bankruptcy; although - historians note - since Louis spent so much money (on luxury and wars) France actually became increasingly impoverished. Colbert worked to create a favourable balance of trade and increase France's colonial holdings. Historians of mercantilism consider Colbert a key figure.

Related Topics:
August 29 - 1619 - September 6 - 1683 - French minister of finance - King Louis XIV - Manufacturing - Economy - Bankruptcy - Luxury - War - Impoverished - Balance of trade - Colonial - Mercantilism

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Colbert's market reforms included the importation of Venetian glass and Flemish cloth manufacturing to France. He also founded a royal tapestry works at Beauvais. Colbert worked to improve the economy via tariffs and the construction of internal improvements. In regard to foreign markets, Colbert aimed to ensure that the French East India Company could obtain coffee, cotton, dyewoods, fur, pepper, and sugar. In addition, Colbert founded a French merchant marine.

Related Topics:
Market - Import - Venetian - Glass - Flemish - Cloth - Manufacturing - Tapestry - Beauvais - Economy - Tariff - Construction - Internal improvements - French East India Company - Coffee - Cotton - Dyewoods - Fur - Pepper - Sugar - Merchant marine

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Colbert issued more than 150 edicts to regulate the guilds. One such law had the intention of improving the quality of cloth. The edict declared that if the authorities found a merchant's cloth unsatisfactory on three separate occasions, they were to tie him to a post with the cloth attached to him.

Related Topics:
Edict - Regulate - Guild - Law - Cloth - Merchant - Post

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