Economic Development
Inspired by the example of Britain and France, Charles William also wanted to develop the industrial sector in his country. He did not realize that the requirements, entrepreneurs and a trained workforce, were missing completely. His attempts to create and preserve manufacturing industries by stimulation and protectionism, was bound to fail sooner or later. After this sobering experience, Charles William turned to education. As early as 1718, a state orphanage had been opened in Pforzheim. Charles William started a machine factory in which the workers were also educated. The activities and the circle of trusted people were gradually expanded, so that at its height the factory employed about 250 people. Ultimately the attempt failed, due to mismanagement and to its products not being competitively priced. Nevertheless, Charles William can be regarded as a pioneer on the cutting edge of the compulsory schooling.
At the beginning of his reign, Charles William caused the transit trade between Frankfurt urged the Basel to shift to the left side of the Rhine by charging excessive duties and administrative harassment. He corrected this later and also invested by improving the road network. The export of Baden-Durlach was limited to wine and cereals. Imports were limited by protectionist policies. The domestic trade was in the hands of the Jews, as other segments of the population considered trade as somewhat dishonest.
The management methods in agriculture were backward and the production was greatly impeded by the Fron. Charles William ordered the ccultivation of potatoes and tobacco. He promoted the restoration of war-damaged vines and introduced a state storage of grain, to prevent extreme price increases caused by crop failures.
Charles William's economic policy was characterized by many initiatives are evidence and creativity and the experience proved useful to the reforms of his grandson.
Read more about this topic: Charles III William, Margrave Of Baden-Durlach, Life
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