Explain the views of Paul Bernard regarding the economy of Vietnam.
EVERYONE agreed that colonies had to serve the interest of the mother country. Paul Bernard, an influential writer and policy maker strongly believed that the economy of the colonies needed to be developed.
He argued that the purpose of acquiring colonies was to make profit. If the economy was developed and the standard of living of the people improved, they would buy more goods. The market would consequently expand leading to better profit for French business.