Livres during the French Revolution
Livres were the official currency of France before the French Revolution. They were in circulation from the 14th century until the late 18th century. Here is a detailed explanation of what livres were during the French Revolution:
- Livre as Currency: Livre was the unit of currency in France before the adoption of the franc in 1795. It was divided into 20 sous, each of 12 deniers.
- Livre during the Revolution: During the French Revolution, the livre went through significant changes. In 1793, the Revolutionary government introduced the assignat, a new paper currency, to replace the livre. The assignat was used to finance the government and was initially backed by the value of confiscated church properties.
- Abolition of Livre: The assignat became the primary currency of France, leading to the gradual disappearance of the livre. In 1795, the franc was officially adopted as the new currency of France, replacing both the livre and the assignat.
- Impact of Livre: The transition from the livre to the franc was a significant economic and political change during the French Revolution. The introduction of the assignat and the subsequent adoption of the franc reflected the revolutionary government's efforts to reform the financial system and establish a new order in France.
In conclusion, livres were the currency of France before the French Revolution, but they were eventually replaced by the assignat and later the franc. The transition from the livre to the franc marked a crucial moment in the economic history of France during the revolutionary period.