Week 10 Flashcards
When and where was cotton first grown?
South and Central America (5000 BCE)
Indus River Valley (3000 BCE), and Egypt .
How did cotton spread to Europe?
Through trade, war, and cultural exchange (e.g., Alexander the Great and Muslim traders).
Who described cotton as “a wool exceeding in beauty and goodness that of sheep”?
Herodotus, an early Greek historian.
What role did Muslim traders play in spreading cotton?
They introduced spinning and cotton use to Spain and Sicily.
When did cotton cultivation begin in the Americas?
Early 1610s in Virginia (expanded the slave economy).
Why was India a major source of cotton for Europe?
Abundant supply, skilled workforce, and expertise in dyeing.
What was the British East India Company’s role in cotton trade?
Imported Indian cotton in the 1690s and sold processed cotton back to India.
What key invention changed cotton spinning in 1764?
The Spinning Jenny by James Hargreaves.
What improvement did Richard Arkwright make?
Water-powered spinning for stronger thread.
In the 1600s and early 1700s India was the source of ___% of British cotton
95%
What was Eli Whitney’s contribution in 1793?
The Cotton Gin, revolutionizing seed removal.
What did the 1833 Factory Act enforce in England?
Limited child labor hours and banned work for children under nine.
Who were Lowell’s mill girls, and where did they work?
Women and children operating looms in Lowell, Massachusetts, in the 1820s-1840s.
Why did Lowell’s workforce shift in the 1840s?
Irish immigrants replaced independent workers after wages dropped.
What caused the global “cotton famine” during the U.S. Civil War?
Union blockades and the Confederacy’s cotton export ban.
How did Britain respond to the cotton shortage?
Sought cotton from India and the Middle East.
What was the impact of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire?
Exposed unsafe working conditions, killing 146 workers.
What issues were highlighted by the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse?
Factory safety, Western consumer responsibility, and ethical production debates.
What are the common challenges in modern sweatshops?
Long hours, unsafe environments, low wages, and exploitation of women.
What developments enabled the rise of fast fashion in the 1960s?
Demand for affordable, trendy clothing and outsourcing to developing nations.
Which brands pioneered fast fashion?
Zara, H&M, and TopShop.
Why did Britain ban Indian textiles during colonial rule?
To protect British manufacturers and ensure a steady cotton supply.
What impact did British restrictions have on Indian craftsmanship?
Undermined traditional practices, eroded cultural identity, and weakened the economy
Why was cotton called the “greatest industry” by 1861?
It was the backbone of global manufacturing, sustaining millions worldwide.
