Tuesday, January 20, 2009

why england not france?

from what i have read, France was simply not in shape to handle an industrial revolution. While Napoleon ruled, nobody cared too much about the technology and new methods of business that had been jumping around. people in France were more concerned about their driven ruler whom I'm sure kept the male population down while having such an enormous army. England on the other hand wasn't run by one man either. they had been quietly building strength for a while as Napoleon drew all the attention. England was also run by more of the industrial folk. they had history in business and now they had the means of government to support their ideas. They used government power to support the movement and pave a road that was easy to walk for the people in the working world. The last reason i think England was in a better position then France was simply because of their foreign affairs. England has always been a power over seas in foreign territories and when Napoleon drew all the attention into Europe, England was able to claim land like it was new. Not to mention their exceptional navy could protect it with ease.

4 comments:

Sarah Hayes said...

I agree with you for the most part, but Napoleon did believe in promoting technology. He was just focusing on different things i.e. getting France back on it's political feet after 10 years of revolution.

Rob Martin said...

Exactly what Sarah said, France wasn't able to have the Industrial Revolution because it had so many problems to fix before it could move ahead.

SamStewart said...

Yes I agree as well, France had its problems. The enclosure acts also played a role in England-they spurred the agricultural revolution would of course led to the industrial revolution.

Lena said...

im not so sure that napolean was just out to get the politics straigtened out. he wanted to make france a powerhouse, but under his control. industrialization and factories happened because there was little government regulation, something napolean's beauracracy couldnt handle. he just wanted to be the hero and liberate europe, he wasnt interested in the economy really, at least not until britain became the 'new carthage'