CBSE Class 10 Answered

Paul Bernard, an influential writer and policy maker, opined that the economy of the colonies needed to be developed in every conceivable way. He held that the basic motive behind acquiring and maintaining colonies was to make profits. If the economy was developed and the standard of living of the people improved, they would buy more goods. The market would then automatically expand and this would result in better profits for French business interests. Bernard also suggested that there were several barriers to economic growth in Vietnam like high population levels, low agricultural productivity and extensive indebtedness amongst the peasants. To reduce rural poverty and increase agricultural productivity, Bernard suggested that land reforms be carried out like the Japanese had done in the 1890s.