This is a list of French colonial trading companies established under a royal charter to conduct trade between France and its colonies. Although more limited trading companies were established in the 16th century, they expanded greatly in the 17th century following on the models established by the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company.[1] Beginning in 1626, Cardinal Richelieu, acting as Grandmaster of Navigation and Commerce, authorized a range of companies to monopolize trade around the world in line with French interests, as well as expand French colonies and convert local populations to Catholicism. These ambitions were further expanded under Jean-Baptiste Colbert with the founding of the French East and West Indies companies in 1664.[2]
The company charters were usually limited to a specific commodity or region, but over time and through mergers the reach of these companies could change dramatically. Their charter could also include oversight and control of colonies, including ensuring security, issuing currency, and imposing local taxes. They also often engaged in military conflicts to protect their trade monopolies.[3]
List of French chartered companies
See also
- Chartered company
- List of chartered companies
References
- Jean-Marie Thiveaud. Les grandes sociétés par actions et les compagnies coloniales de l'Europe des temps modernes du XVI–XVIIe siècle Revue d'économie financière, 1999^
- Alfred Comyn Lyall. History of India 1907^
- Catherine Desbarats. Commercial Companies BnF Amériques/Americas, May 2021, retrieved 2024-10-14^