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The Ashgate Companion to the History of Textile Workers, 1650-2000: An Exploration of Changing Lives and Labour in the Global Textile Industry

Tom Clancy

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Published in The Ashgate Companion To The History Of Textile Workers 1650 2000

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The textile industry has played a pivotal role in human history, shaping societies, cultures, and economies. The production, trade, and consumption of textiles have been central to the development of civilizations, and the lives of textile workers have been inextricably linked to the industry's evolution. This companion provides a comprehensive overview of the history of textile workers from 1650 to 2000, exploring the changing lives and labour conditions of workers in the global textile industry.

The Ashgate Companion to the History of Textile Workers, 1650–2000

by Lisa Jewell

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	19864 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	876 pages

Technological Advancements and Industrialization

The period from 1650 to 2000 witnessed significant technological advancements that transformed the textile industry. The invention of new machines, such as the spinning jenny, the power loom, and the cotton gin, led to increased productivity and the mechanization of textile production. These advancements had a profound impact on the lives of textile workers, displacing traditional handcraft workers and creating new job opportunities in factories.

Industrialization brought about new challenges for textile workers. Factory work was often characterized by long hours, low wages, and hazardous working conditions. Workers faced risks of accidents, exposure to toxic chemicals, and repetitive motion injuries. In response to these challenges, textile workers organized into unions and fought for improved working conditions and wages.

Globalization of the Textile Industry

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the globalization of the textile industry. The expansion of European colonialism and the rise of industrial capitalism led to the establishment of textile factories in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This globalized production system created a new division of labour, with raw materials being sourced from colonies and finished goods being produced in industrialized countries.

The globalization of the textile industry had a significant impact on textile workers. The exploitation of cheap labour in developing countries led to declining wages and working conditions in industrialized countries. Textile workers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America faced even more severe challenges, often working in sweatshops with little protection from labour laws.

Social and Political Movements

The 19th and 20th centuries were marked by social and political movements that sought to improve the lives of textile workers. Trade unions played a crucial role in organizing workers and fighting for better wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions. Social reformers and labour activists also campaigned for legislation to protect textile workers from exploitation and abuse.

In the late 20th century, the rise of globalization and the decline of manufacturing in industrialized countries led to a new wave of social and political movements focused on the rights of textile workers in developing countries. These movements sought to expose the sweatshop conditions and labour abuses that were prevalent in the global textile industry.

The Ashgate Companion to the History of Textile Workers, 1650-2000 offers a comprehensive and detailed overview of the changing lives and labour conditions of textile workers in the global textile industry. It explores the impact of technological advancements, industrialization, globalization, and social and political movements on the lives of workers. The companion is an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the history of labour and the textile industry.

The Ashgate Companion to the History of Textile Workers, 1650–2000

by Lisa Jewell

4.4 out of 5