Suppressed French Enlightenment, implications for North Africa

If the French monarchy took a tough line and clamped down on the saloons and liberal press, no revolution happened, and other methods of raising taxes worked, what would French colonial expansion look like?

Would they still take North Africa? If so, would a Catholic monarchy look to convert the locals?
 
If the French monarchy took a tough line and clamped down on the saloons and liberal press, no revolution happened, and other methods of raising taxes worked, what would French colonial expansion look like?

Would they still take North Africa? If so, would a Catholic monarchy look to convert the locals?

Louis XVI wasn't real a decisive fellow, and North Africa would be about as valuble to France as a half full spitoon. Charles X only went after Algers as a political ploy; the failure of the naval blockade to get them to drop the debts France owed them from train bought back during the Revolution and the desire to start a short and glorious war that would give him the edge politically against the Liberal opposition over the matter of franchise reform. A surviving Bourbon state limping along under Louis XIV Absolutism without a Louis XIV like King would likely not make any big colonial plays: instead, you'd continue the eternal dance for influence in the Italies and Germanies vs. the Habsburgs
 
Louis XVI wasn't real a decisive fellow, and North Africa would be about as valuble to France as a half full spitoon. Charles X only went after Algers as a political ploy; the failure of the naval blockade to get them to drop the debts France owed them from train bought back during the Revolution and the desire to start a short and glorious war that would give him the edge politically against the Liberal opposition over the matter of franchise reform. A surviving Bourbon state limping along under Louis XIV Absolutism without a Louis XIV like King would likely not make any big colonial plays: instead, you'd continue the eternal dance for influence in the Italies and Germanies vs. the Habsburgs

I agree if the financial system doesn't get fixed. But with a bit of cash I can see France expanding South as part of a Catholic mission.
 
I agree if the financial system doesn't get fixed. But with a bit of cash I can see France expanding South as part of a Catholic mission.

Reminds a bit of what the villain protagonist Saccard of Zola's "L'Argent" had planned. First a "Christian" bank (because he hates Jews), then new business all around the Med, and somewhen, finally gaining Jerusalem back.
 
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