The state of the economy and royal finances by 1780s Flashcards
What was the Taille
tax on the property and income of the 3rd estate- divided into taille personnelle (property/personal tax) and taille reelle (land and house property)
What was the Capitation
poll tax
Who paid the poll tax
theoretically payable by everyone but the clergy paid don gratuit instead and the 2nd estate payments varied- 22 different tax classes
What was the Vingtieme
income tax- 5% of earnings from land, property, commerce, industry and official offices
Who paid land tax
intended to be levied on all but the clergy won exemption
Who collected direct taxes
collected by royal officers who bought their positions
Who collected indirect taxes
tax farmers and syndicates- accounting procedures limited and there was widespread corruption
What was the balance of payments
the difference in value between the income (revenue) and the expenditure (outgoings) of a country
How much did the War of Austrian Succession and the 7 years wars cost France
1.3 billion livres
How much debt was France in by 1764
2.3 billion livres
What was the outcome of the Treaty of Paris in 1783
gave France little reward as the formers American colonists chose to maintain their commercial ties with Britain while the French gov faced debt of just over 3.3 billion livres
How much did the price of bread rise by in 1789
89% (from 9 sous to 14-15 sous)
What was the Eden Treaty 1786
trade treaty provided for a mutual lowering on tariffs or import duties between Britain and France.
Grain wine and brandy were able to enter Britain with lower tariffs than the same goods elsewhere
cottons hardware and industrial products from Britain would similarly enter France on lower tariffs
What was the problem with the Eden Treaty
the economic crisis in France meant that there was not a surplus of food and drink to sell to Britain whilst British textiles and industrial goods were able to swamp the French market inflicting considerable damage on the French industry
