Thursday, January 15, 2009

Why in England and not in France?

The industrialization started in ENgland first for several reasons.
First of all, England's parliamentary gov. was in the hand of merchants and land owners. Therefore, these profit-chasing people were able to back their object with laws such as the enclosure act. Also, the social structure of England, which had a large middle class that had enough purchsing power, was more apt to the industrializing than that of France. England's naval dominance, as well as its ever-expanding colonies and markets further encouraged merchants to take more experimental measures... oh no fire drill

5 comments:

Cote Laramie said...

That's no drill Hanjae!

I think England and industrialism made a good couple. The richness and governmental control of the middle and high classes matched the individualism of industrialism. England was its own country, if anything its actions reflected the desires of the largest percentage of its population compared to any ocuntry of the time. It also had a secure backing and industrialism rewarded people with a good deal of security/self-control.

Cote Laramie said...

Well now that's not much of a comment is it, I'm using your examples I agree with them.

The Captain said...

That "drill" was pretty exciting, huh?

And I completely agree with both of you guys. England had the available resources, the desire... but don't forget about the most important aspect; the Agricultural Revolution. Without the greed of the landlords and the enclose acts as Hanjae briefly mentioned, I feel none of it could've been possible.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it was not a "drill."

Anyway, to keep writing ...

... encouraged merchants to take more experimental measures. These experimental measures and the rich capital were the two main sources that driven England to become the first industrialized country. France, on the other hand, was largely dependent on farming, and the mass of people did not have as much purchasing power as English did. Also, its goverenment, going through revolutionary periods, was not consistently stable enough to back the economy strong. The lack of naval power also did not help.

Sarah Hayes said...

It stinks that you got cut off Hanjea...
I completely agree with you. France had other problems that need fixing before the could focus on industrialization and the English was more pro entrepeneuers (sp) than their French neighbors.