HIST113 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Credit Risk, Collective Agreement, Religious Persecution
28 Dec 2015
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Success and failure in trade to new france 1660-1760. Theisis/argument: no reason to assume that prosperous merchants were capable businessmen or that bankruptcies must have had economic causes. Government, war, religion, economic trends and social structure each played a role in determining the fortunes of trading families. Most cases a full explanation for success or failure is elusive. Monarchy/church depended on merchants to send people/mail back & forth. New france (canadian settlements) were not self sufficient Hardware, housewares, food, & drink to be shipped over. Merchant ships under contract with the government. Incent was profit and merchants drove hard bargain with crown during. Risks, government was reluctant to pay many debts to merchants during wartime and deferred payments: some merchants did well others faulted. 58 cases of merchant bankruptcy from 1660-1760. Jacques savary"s manual le parfait negociant was popular with merchants. Savary states: frivolous spending, lack of experience, and not taking apprenticeships were reasons for failure.
