Unit 7: Section 4 - Textile Mills

Section 4 - The Textile Industry

Standard 8-5.5 - Compare industrial development in SC to industrialization in the

rest of the U.S.

Early Industrialization

●

Even though SC’s economy relied on agriculture, parts of the state had
begun to industrialize before the Civil War

●

This was particularly true in the Upcountry which had good streams and
rivers needed to power factories

●

The building of railroads and
access to cotton grown in the
state made the Upcountry a
good location to build textile
mills

●

These mills processed the
cotton grown on southern farms
into cloth, which was shipped
using the railroads

The Growth of Textile Mills

●

The textile industry began in the
Upcountry, but started
spreading throughout the state
after the Civil War

●

By the early 1900s, SC was the
2nd largest textile producing
state in the country

●

One reason the textile
industry grew after the Civil
War is that there was a ready
supply of labor looking for
work

●

Most of these people were
poor farmers that could no
longer make a living working
the land

●

Many poor farmers looked to
textile mills to provide not only
work, but also homes

Mill Villages

●

To help attract workers textile
mills would provide homes,
schools, churches and stores
for their employees

●

These communities became
known as “Mill Villages,” where
employees of the mill and their
families lived

●

Life in the mill villages was not
perfect

●

In bad economic times workers
were laid off and lost their
homes

●

The mills also employed young
children, where some became
injured or were even killed in
work accidents

●

The building of mill villages
created many new
communities in the
Upcountry of South
Carolina

●

Most of these communities
still exist today, even though
the mills have closed

Textile Workers

●

Men, women and children
worked long hours for low
pay in textile mills

●

They also worked around
machines that could
sometimes be dangerous,
and injuries were common

●

The typical work shift was from
6 AM - 6 PM Monday through
Saturday

●

Workers in SC were also paid
less than half what other
workers in the U.S. were paid,
and women and children made
less than men

●

Mill workers in SC were
also looked down on by
other parts of society

●

They were often referred to
as “lint heads” because the
cotton fibers from the mill
sometimes stuck in their
hair

Multiple Choice

What was the state of SC's economy primarily based on before the Civil War?

• Industrialization

• Agriculture

• Trade

• Mining

Multiple Choice

Which part of SC began to industrialize before the Civil War due to its good streams and rivers?

• Lowcountry

• Midlands

• Upcountry

• Coastal areas

Multiple Choice

What was the role of the mills mentioned in the text?

• To process wool into cloth.

• To process cotton into food products.

• To process cotton into cloth.

• To ship cotton to other countries.

Multiple Choice

Why was the Upcountry considered a good location to build textile mills?

• Because it had a large population.

• Because it had access to railroads and cotton.

• Because it was close to coal mines.

• Because it had advanced technology.

Multiple Choice

When did the textile industry start spreading throughout the state of SC?

• Before the Civil War

• After the Civil War

• During the Civil War

• In the late 1800s

Multiple Choice

By the early 1900s, what was SC's rank in terms of textile production in the country?

• The largest textile producing state

• The 2nd largest textile producing state

• The 3rd largest textile producing state

• Not among the top textile producing states

Multiple Choice

What is one reason the textile industry grew after the Civil War?

• There was a decrease in the demand for textiles

• There was a ready supply of labor looking for work

• There was an increase in the price of cotton

• There was a shortage of labor

Multiple Choice

Who were most of the people that provided labor for the textile industry after the Civil War?

• Wealthy landowners

• Skilled artisans from cities

• Poor farmers that could no longer make a living working the land

• Foreign immigrants

Multiple Choice

What were "Mill Villages" known for providing to attract workers?

• Entertainment venues and luxury apartments

• Homes, schools, churches, and stores for their employees

• High wages and stock options

• Free transportation and healthcare

Multiple Choice

Who lived in the "Mill Villages"?

• Only the mill owners and their families

• Employees of the mill and their families

• Independent farmers and craftsmen

• Government officials and administrators

Multiple Choice

What was not perfect about life in the mill villages?

• The houses were very luxurious

• Workers were laid off and lost their homes in bad economic times

• The mills employed young children

• Some children became injured or were even killed in work accidents

Multiple Choice

Who did the mills employ that sometimes led to tragic accidents?

• Experienced adult workers

• Foreign experts

• Young children

• Robots

Multiple Choice

Do most of the communities created by the building of mill villages in the Upcountry of South Carolina still exist today?

• No, all of them have been abandoned.

• Yes, but they have been relocated.

• No, most of them have been demolished.

• Yes, even though the mills have closed.

Multiple Choice

Who worked in textile mills for low pay?

• Only men

• Only women

• Only children

• Men, women, and children

Multiple Choice

What was the social perception of mill workers in SC by other parts of society?

• They were highly respected

• They were considered wealthy

• They were looked down on

• They were seen as celebrities