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| | Colbert, Jean-Baptiste |
 | | Colbert, born in Reims, entered the service of Cardinal Mazarin and succeeded him as chief minister to Louis XIV. |
 | | In his later years Colbert was supplanted in Louis's favour by the war minister Louvois (16411691), who supported a policy of conquests. |
 | | Industry was brought under state control, shipbuilding was encouraged by bounties, companies were established to trade with India and America, and colonies were founded in Louisiana, Guiana, and Madagascar. |
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