Chapter 10 - Article Summary

Question 1

Article #1

Answer 1

The article outlines the long history of the textile industry, which began with early human clothing made from animal skins and plant fibers. By 500,000 to 100,000 years ago, humans were already making clothing, and trade hubs along the Silk Road (China, India, and Turkey) became central to the global textile trade. The demand for luxury fabrics, like silk in the Byzantine Empire, drove much of the industry’s growth. In the modern era, consumer tastes and the cost of production began driving the success of textile businesses. Technological innovations, such as mechanized weaving and the spinning of cotton, allowed textile manufacturing to scale up. By the Industrial Revolution, Western countries, particularly Britain, had become major players in global textile markets, leading to the dominance of British merchants in the 19th century.

Question 2

Article #2

Answer 2

The article explains the reasons behind the British ban on Indian textiles during colonial rule. The British sought to safeguard their own industrial sector by restricting Indian textile imports, which were seen as competition to British-manufactured goods. The ban helped maintain British dominance in global textile markets and ensured that raw materials, especially cotton, were exported from India to fuel British industries. This exploitation was a key part of the economic drain from India, undermining indigenous craftsmanship and promoting British economic and political control. The colonial policies not only stifled India’s textile industry but also contributed to its continued economic dependence on Britain.

Question 3

Article #3

Answer 3

The article traces the evolution of fast fashion, which is often associated with brands like Zara. Fast fashion isn’t a new concept; it has roots in the 1800s with the introduction of textile machines and ready-made clothing. The concept accelerated in the 1960s when demand for affordable, trendy clothing grew, particularly among young people rejecting traditional styles. The rise of large textile mills in developing countries enabled U.S. and European brands to reduce production costs. The first true “fast fashion” retailers emerged in the mid-20th century, and by the 1990s, the business model had reached global success with brands like H&M and Forever 21. The article highlights how these companies revolutionized the fashion industry by producing cheap, trendy clothing at unprecedented speed, making fashion accessible to the masses.

Question 4

Article #4

Answer 4

This article discusses the importance of cotton in global capitalism, particularly the role of slavery in the cotton economy. By 1861, cotton had become a major global commodity, with the U.S. supplying most of the cotton consumed in Britain and other nations. The Civil War disrupted the cotton trade, leading to a scramble for alternative sources. The article highlights how slavery enabled the rapid industrialization of the cotton industry and explores the global consequences of the U.S. Civil War, including shifts in labor systems and changes in global cotton production and trade.