Wilson E-book Chapter 4

Questions and Answers

What impact did the 19th century garment and textile workers have on reformists' views towards fashion?

They became indifferent to the conditions of workers.

They supported the fashion industry for economic prosperity.

They turned against fashion due to awareness of exploitation. (correct)

They embraced fashion for its artistic value.

How did the industrial revolution impact the livelihoods of weavers in Britain?

It eliminated the need for textile workers entirely.

It transformed cottage industries into factory work. (correct)

It provided more opportunities for apprenticeships.

It improved their independence and living standards.

What was the significance of fine Indian cottons during the 18th century?

They replaced all other types of textiles in England.

They were exclusively used for luxury items.

They were cheaper to produce than English wool.

They influenced English fashion by mimicking French silks. (correct)

What was one of the pre-conditions for the takeoff of the industrial revolution in Britain?

The creation of a successful substitute for calico. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial use of cotton in England before the 18th century?

It was used to make linings and domestic items. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the fashion of Indian calicoes at the end of the 18th century?

They became fashionable late due to their practical nature. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Manchester play in the cotton industry during the 17th century?

It emerged as a major cotton manufacturing town. Signup and view all the answers

What was the social implication of the fashionable lady caged in crinoline during the 19th century?

She was viewed as a reflection of bourgeois hypocrisy. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the wool industry during the industrial revolution?

Wool became the primary fabric for upper-class clothing. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the silk industry in England during the 17th and 18th centuries?

There were extreme discrepancies in the labor force between wealthy and exploited workers. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the decline of the British silk industry in the 19th century?

The introduction of synthetic fibers and reduction of tariffs on foreign silk. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first synthetic material created as a substitute for silk?

Rayon Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the production process of silk?

It involves cultivating specific trees and extensive care for silkworms. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did steam power influence the textile industry post-1750?

It mechanized the spinning and weaving processes, enhancing productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What role did women and children have in the factories of the wool and silk industries during the industrial revolution?

They were increasingly engaged in weaving roles that were formerly male-dominated. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary advantage of synthetic fibers compared to natural ones like silk?

They are significantly cheaper and do not require specific climatic conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Exploitation of 19th Century Garment and Textile Workers

Predominantly women faced harsh exploitation in the garment and textile industries.
A stark contrast existed between luxurious fashion and the suffering of workers who created it.
This disparity led many reformists in the 19th century to oppose fashion.
Women’s fashion symbols, like the crinoline and bustle, represented bourgeois hypocrisy.
Increased awareness of dress injustice among workers and feminists.

Cotton Industry and the Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution in Britain initiated transformative changes in the cotton industry.
Introduction of industrial machinery disrupted traditional cottage industries, turning weavers into factory workers.
Workers experienced loss of independence, decreased living standards, and harsh working conditions.
Exploitation heavily affected women and children in the workforce.

Domination of the British Cotton Industry

British cotton industry held a global monopoly, undermining indigenous cotton industries in the Indian subcontinent.
First known cotton cloth called fustian appeared in the 16th century.
Manchester transitioned into a key cotton manufacturing town during the 17th century.
Cotton began as a material for domestic items before evolving into fashionable garments in the 18th century.

Fashion Trends and Textile Imports

Indian calicoes gained popularity through East India Company imports but only became fashionable by the end of the century.
Fine Indian cottons decorated with floral patterns copied the aesthetics of French silks.
The practical and easier upkeep of cotton compared to silk enhanced its appeal, despite threats to local wool and silk trades.
Restrictions imposed on calico to protect indigenous textile industries led to local manufacturing developments, paving the way for the industrial revolution.

Mechanization in Cotton Production

Post-1750 saw revolutionary inventions in cotton processing with steam-powered weaving and spinning.
Mechanization extended to fabric printing, transforming textile production efficiency.

Wool Industry Context

Long-established with less disruption than cotton due to its developed state.
Woolen cloth permeated upper society styles for men’s formal wear during the industrial revolution.
Initially operated on a cottage industry model, evolving into factory systems with a workforce of women and children led by male overseers.

Silk Industry Developments

Although less significant, the London silk trade was notable in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Fluctuations in the silk market included a range of labor experiences from master weavers to child laborers.
By the late 18th century, mills in Northern England shifted female roles from silk winding to weaving.
The 19th century saw Lyon become a silk manufacturing hub, with Paris solidifying its status as haute couture capital.

Characteristics and Production of Silk

Silk, a rare continuous filament, is labor-intensive, cultivated from mulberry-fed silkworms.
Renowned for its luxurious quality but challenging to produce due to climate and labor requirements.

Search for Synthetic Alternatives

The 19th century focused on synthetic substitutes for silk, commencing with rayon, also called artificial silk.
The Treaty of 1860 decreased import tariffs on French silk, impacting the indigenous British silk market.
Courtaulds began developing synthetic fibers, obtaining patents for viscose in 1904, with expansion post-WWI.
Emergence of synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and acrylics provided alternatives to natural materials, altering production dynamics.

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Description

Dive into the complexities of 19th-century garment and textile workers as discussed in Wilson's E-book Chapter 4. This chapter reveals the stark contrast between the lavishness of fashion and the harsh realities faced by predominantly female workers in the cotton industry. It also highlights the growing awareness of social injustices related to dress during this period.