The Industrial Revolution Quiz

Domestic System Characteristics

• Operated on a decentralized model where production occurred in individual homes rather than factories.
• Involved families working together to produce goods, primarily textiles, at their own pace.
• Relied on a supply of raw materials provided by merchants, creating a flexible production schedule.

Role of Textile Merchants

• Served as intermediaries who supplied raw wool to cottage workers and collected the finished products.
• Facilitated the organization and distribution of production, ensuring a steady market for goods produced.
• Played a crucial role in financing production by providing credit for purchasing materials and compensating workers.

Characteristics of Cottage Workers

• Typically included entire families who contributed different skills to the production process.
• Often worked long hours in poor conditions, yet enjoyed some autonomy over their work schedules.
• Limited access to advanced tools and machinery, relying on traditional handcraft methods.

Cottage Industry Key Features

• Focused primarily on textile production, especially wool cloth, which remained labor-intensive and time-consuming.
• Promoted a self-sufficient household model where manufacturing supplemented farming income.
• Enabled the blending of traditional craftsmanship with newer production techniques as demand increased.

Primary Occupation of Cottage Workers

• Main activity involved spinning, weaving, and finishing wool cloth from raw materials provided by merchants.
• Frequently engaged in seasonal work that aligned with agricultural cycles, balancing farming and textile production.
• Skills passed down through generations contributed to the sustainability of the cottage industry.

Test your knowledge of the Industrial Revolution with this quiz. Explore the impact of industrialization on manufacturing, agriculture, and business structures. Learn about the transformation from the Domestic System to modern industry.