Week 6- Attempts at improvement under Turgot , Necker and Calonne Flashcards
When was Turgot Controller-General?
1774-76
What were Turgot’s beliefs?
He thought that the French economy would be more efficient and produce more crown revenue if the restrictive controls were replaced with a freer system.
He opposed French participation in the American revolutionary war on the grounds of cost
What did Turgot do as controller-General?
Cuts to royal expenses
Government departments had to submit their expenses to the controller-General and find ways of reducing their spending.
Reduction of the number of pensions that Louis granted.
Some reforms in the Taxation system to increase efficiency.
Name some of Turgot’s proposals that were abandoned.
Replacing many indirect taxes with land tax was opposed by second-estate nobles who would loose out from this measure.
His ‘six edicts’ of 1776 expressed his desire to abolish privilege, to tax all, suppress guilds, and abolish the corvée in favour of a tax payed by landowners.
This was met by two remonstrances from the Paris parlement.
Why was Turgot forced to resign?
By March 1776, Turgot had offended a range in influential people including Marie Antoinette.
In May 1776, he was forced to resign and his edicts were forgotten.
When was Necker Controller-General?
1777-81
However, he could not be given the title as he was Protestant so he was named Director-General of finances’ instead.
What did Necker do as Director-General of finances?
He continued Turgot’s cost-cutting measures by…
Reducing Royal household expenses and pensions,
Appointing salaried officials to run royal estates,
removing the vingtième on industry,
Reduced the number of separate collecting bodies in financial administration,
Replaced venal accountants with paid ones,
Reduced the number of tax-farmers from 40-60,
Replaced 48 ‘recievers general’ with 12 salaried officials who had to send their receipts to Necker.
What problems did Necker face?
He reduced Venal offices hugely.
However, it was these venal officers that sent money to the crown.
This vital source of income was lost.
What was the Compte Rendu au Roi?
Published by Necker in 1781.
It was France’s first ‘budget-statement’ of royal finances.
It summarised expenditure and income.
Within weeks, 100,000 copies were sold
What problems were there with the Compte Rendu au Roi?
The King and Courtiers saw the publication as a breach of Royal protocol.
Also, the statement was innacurate.
It suggested that France was in a stronger financial position than it actually was so he was not forced to raise taxes.
Why was Necker forced to resign?
He was very popular with the ordinary people of France for his attacks on vested interests and his help in the successful war without raising taxes.
However, he had many enemies at Court including Marie Antoinette whose influence over Louis helped to bring about Necker’s resignation in 1781.
When was Calonne Controller-General?
1783-87
What did Calonne do as Controller-General beliefs?
He was much more traditional.
He supported the provision of pensions and extravagant spending to help maintain popularity.
Why could Calonne not maintain his traditional outlook as Controller-General?
The loans which France relied on were drying up.
The Paris Parlement was not willing to accept any more as the large interest only added to France’s crippling debt.
Therefore, in 1786, he put together a reform package.
What did Calonne’s reform package include?
A general land tax with a survey and evaluation of land holdings.
The establishment of provincial assemblies.
An extra indirect tax on legal documents.
The removal of controls on grain trade.
Removal of internal customs barriers to boost commerce.
