This paper will discuss about the import and export conditions that were present in England and France. It will particularly compare and see the quantity of export and import made by these countries and how this event explains the greater industrialization level for England.
If we are to examine the exportation aspect of the two countries during the industrialization era, we can see that England is clearly surpassing France in terms of the quantity of products that is being sold aboard by the two countries. This condition can be attributed to various characteristics and aspects that are inherent to England but is not present in France. England can be described as a geographically compact nation where major cities, urban centers and manufacturing areas are interconnected by excellent railways, fast ports and quickly accessed canals and inland waterways. These means of transportations ensured that English companies and manufacturers can move and shift their products, raw materials and goods at a faster rate without added charge and delays in shipping (Trebilcock, 1981).
This would in turn minimize production cost and wastages. Farms and industrial plants in England have also used various technological methods that would increase production and faster turn out of goods and merchandise. Crop rotation, use of harvesting machines and the extensive use of chemicals and fertilizers are incorporated by large farmers and plantation owners (Trebilcock, 1981). Sea trade and commerce in terms of imports and exports is also protected by the British navy, then at those times, the greatest naval power of the world. The British therefore can protect and carry their products from England to the intended markets while maintaining their grip to colonies such as India, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia which are major sources of raw materials and market (Toliono, 1992).
The opposite of these conditions existed in France. Unlike England, France’s geography is full of natural boundaries that hinder the effective transportation of goods. Bureaucracy and red tape were the hindrances that hindered the growth of this country. To clearly illustrate this point, it is better to examine the situation that was prevailing in the province of Provence, France. One of the most important aspects of an agricultural society present in France at this time is the easy and available access to a water supply. This water supply can irrigate hectares and hectares of land making the farmers enjoy big and prosperous harvests with their crops. Because of these clear advantages, entrepreneurs and nobles attempted to build canals that would transport water for the Durance River to peasant farms.
In the course of these plans, certain factors and issue inherent inside the social and political aspect of the French society prevented this effort. Technology at building canals and waterways during the year 1700 to 1860 was the same technique that was used in French farms during the 13th century (Rosenthal, 1990). Canals and dams built on 13th century technology was inferior when applied to the 18 and middle 19th centuries, floods and drought affected the supply of water thus affecting the quantity of harvest. If new technologies to build canals were used in certain situations, the higher cost of building and maintaining these structures made it prohibitive to be available to poor and small farmers (Rosenthal, 1990).
Aside from technological backwardness, the division of authority over rights of eminent domain was also a big obstacle in building canals and irrigation systems. This system of eminent domain was present in the case of a canal builder by the name of Adam de Crappone. Crappone wanted to build a canal that would link an agricultural area to a rivers source. He secured all grants and permits but unfortunately, a piece of land that the canal must pass through is not under the jurisdiction and power of the local authorities and the state. In the end, the canal passed through the disputed land with the agreement that they can also use the water from the canal free of charge (Rosenthal, 1990). Because of this arrangement, Crappone went bankrupt and other investors were frightened in the prospect of investing. This issue with regards to the proper authority in eminent domain remained a hurdle that was not successfully leaped by the French agricultural sector. Provencal communities and other communities in France were sometimes not under the influence and authority of the state. In many instances, canals cannot go very far from the water sources because the farther it goes, the more problems regarding eminent domain would hinder and ultimately stop the construction
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