Napoleon's Economic Reforms

In 1801, which industry related councils were established in each of France's ?departments? What did they do?

Councils of Agriculture, Arts and Commerce were set up to share technical knowledge on their trades

What did Chaptal do increase expertise within industry?

He created bodies to spread commercial and industrial knowledge

In which year did NB pass the Commercial Code and what did it do to French industry?

The Commercial Code was passed in 1807 and it established universal regulations on commerce across France-- consistent practises

When did NB create a Ministry of Commerce?

1808

What trade policy allowed Napoleon to protect domestic industry?

Protectionism

How was Napoleon's economic policy geographically limited and industrially limited?

It was all mainly centred in Paris and he focussed disproportionately on war-related industries

Which war-related industries did NB focus the majority of his reforms on?

Boats, iron, rope

How did NB invest to increase industrial production?

He invested vastly in infrastructure and provided subsidies for manufacturers

Which organisation did NB establish to monitor economic trends?

The Bureau of Statistics to gather data on population size and the condition of agriculture and industry

Which industries saw growth and increased production under Napoleon?

The metallurgical industry in North-Eastern France, shipbuilding, rope, iron industry and textiles in the Lyons region (all linked to the military)

How did Napoleon's investments in infrastructure improve communications and connections between France and Europe?

He improved roads vastly and cleaned them, linking France to places like Amsterdam and Venice as well as establishing an efficient mail-coach network

How was NB's policy of protectionism (tariffs) counterproductive?

It meant that there was no incentive to develop or innovate-- this undermines Chaptal's attempts to encourage innovation

How did conscription for the War of the 3rd coalition (1803) harm French industry?

It meant that there were less workers available

How does the nature of pre-Napoleonic industry undermine the significance of his reforms?

Under the Ancien Regime and during the Revolution, French industry was virtually non-existent, so anything would appear an improvement

What was the Continental System?

It was a mercantilist system which attempted to exclude British trade from Europe while increasing European consumption of French goods

After which battle did Napoleon decide to attack Britain economically instead of martially?

The 1805 Battle of Trafalgar-- realises France can't beat Britain's navy

Which decrees in which years established the Continental System?

The Berlin Decree (1806) and Milan Decree (1807)

From what year has France not been allowed to purchase British goods?

1793-- Pre-Napoleon

What were the (few) successes of the Continental Blockade?

Self-sufficiency did increase, home industries were protected (e.g Iron production in Alsace and Belgium), new trade links with Germany, Italy and Eastern Europe were established

How did the scope of the Continental Blockade undermine it?

It was very difficult to impose and to avoid smuggling in such a large area

Which war was a result of the difficulty of imposing the Continental Blockade?

The Peninsular War 1807-1814-- damaging to NB's power

How did the UK retaliate against the Continental System?

They imposed a total blockade on France and all her allies (Workshop of the World)

Which types of industries in France were hurt by the Continental Blockade?

Industries which relied on exporting (France lost lots of foreign markets due to the blockade)--e.g wine was France's largest export

What imported goods did France rely on Britain for before the blockade?

Sugar, coffee, coats and shoes

Why was British trading okay despite the Continental Blockade?

Britain found new trade routes and had a trading relationship with America (large)

What effect did the disappearance of colonial markets have on domestic industry?

It removed their incentive to change and adapt, undermining industrial reforms

What did agricultural associations do?

They shared around new ideas on crops, animal breeding and scientific farming

What was the government's policy on 'replacement crops'?

France growing its own cotton, coffee, dyes, tobacco and sugar to reduce dependence on British imports-- affects agriculture

When was importing sugar to France banned?

Jan 1813-- protects domestic sugar production

Which goods were being EXPORTED by France in 1812 and what did this signal about economic change?

Butter, cheese and vegetable oils were being exported, while they had been imported before the revolution-- shows France is becoming more self-sufficient

What land issue remained a problem for French agriculture?

Small peasant farmers suffered from land hunger and produced at subsistence level still

Which part of the Civil Code exacerbated the issue of land hunger for French farmers?

The introduction of partage over primogeniture meant land was being divided up more

Why were tenant farmers resistant to improving the lands they lived and worked on?

They were afraid that making improvements would cause their rent to be increased

What factor outside of Napoleon's control made agriculture appear prosperous?

Good harvests in most years (bar 1806) created an image of prosperity

How were the effects of Napoleon's agricultural reforms only felt in the long-term?

The effects of the reforms were only really felt in 1815