Méline tariff

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The Méline tariff was a French protectionist measure introduced in 1892. It is noted as being the most important piece of economic legislation of the Third Republic and marked a return to earlier protectionist policies effectively ending the period of free trade associated with the 1860 Cobden–Chevalier Treaty. The tariff has been seen to be the result of efforts by some in the business community to help combat a perceived external economic threat to the domestic market.

French Third Republic Nation of France from 1870 to 1940

The French Third Republic was the system of government adopted in France from 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed during the Franco-Prussian War, until 10 July 1940 after France's defeat by Nazi Germany in World War II led to the formation of the Vichy government in France.

Cobden–Chevalier Treaty

The Cobden–Chevalier Treaty was an Anglo-French free trade agreement signed between the United Kingdom and France on 23 January 1860. It is named after the main British and French originators of the treaty, Richard Cobden MP and Michel Chevalier. It has been described as the first modern trade agreement.

It has been suggested that politically the tariff was a reflection of an emerging confluence of interests among the industrial bourgeoisie, big landowners and peasant farmers. It is named after Jules Méline, the 65th Prime Minister of France. [1] [2] [3]

Jules Méline French politician

Félix Jules Méline was a French statesman, prime minister from 1896 to 1898.

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References

  1. Golob, Eugene. (1944) The Meline tariff: French Agriculture and Nationalist Economic Policy. New York: Columbia University Press.
  2. Smith, Michael S. (1992) The Méline Tariff as Social Protection: Rhetoric or Reality? International Review of Social History, August, 37 : pp 230-243
  3. Lebovics,Herman (1986) Protection against Labor Troubles: The Campaign of the Association de l'industrie franchise for Economic Stability and Social Peace during the Great Depression, 1880-1896", International Review of Social History 31 , 2, pp. 147-165.