Maps and Exploration

History of the French Navy from 1715 to 1789

The history of the French Navy from 1715 to 1789 traces the development of the Royal Navy, which established itself as a permanent force in the 16th century. In 1715, following budgetary constraints and earlier conflicts, notably the War of the Spanish Succession, the Royal Navy began a reconstruction phase between 1720 and 1740, introducing significant technical innovations. Under Louis XV, alongside the Kingdom of Great Britain, the French government prioritized maintaining peace. This policy limited naval investments, restricted the number of ships, and reduced training opportunities for crews, who were often assigned to coastal missions or limited patrols. The War of the Austrian Succession (1744-1748) demonstrated a relative balance of naval forces, but the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) proved disastrous, resulting in the loss of the first French colonial empire—including Canada, eastern Louisiana, and parts of India—which significantly weakened the fleet. Louis XVI ordered a comprehensive reorganization of the Royal Navy. By 1782, the naval budget exceeded that of the army, reflecting the strategic importance of maritime power in the context of global rivalry with Great Britain. This period also saw the standardization of ships and the development of port-arsenals. Despite these advancements, France remained primarily a land-based power. However, its economy increasingly embraced maritimization, driven by thriving trade in the West Indies and the activities of the French East India Company.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Green Building (MIT)
• ▸Dusky seaside sparrow
• ▸Area codes 213, 323, and 738

Uncatalogued shelf

Text from Wikipedia; plate via Wikimedia Commons. Text CC BY-SA 4.0; plate freely licensed (see Commons). Source record. Images and catalogue data are reproduced from open-access collections.