Pierre le Pesant called on France to switch from the mercantilism established by Colbert to a system of free enterprise as a means of righting the problems of famine and poverty plaguing France.
Fénelon wrote a letter to Mme. de Maintenon, who had Louis XIV's ear, complaining that Louis's wars and protectionism weredestroying the French economy. He joined many in arguing for free trade and more progressive taxation. The first graduated tax was introduced—the capitation—partly as a result of such complaints.
Jansenist nuns at Port Royal dispersed as the result of the papal encyclical Unigenitus (See 1713, Sept. 8). Louis XIV supported the Jesuits against the Jansenists and declared the encyclical valid in France. This contravened Gallican law, which prohibited the French government from accepting such encyclicals without the unanimous consent of the clergy.
Treaty of Utrecht ended period of Louis XIV's wars. War continued to be a significant factor in French diplomacy, and the cost of war created financial difficulties for the government in the 18th century.
