Labor Conditions in Early 20th Century

In 1909, Georgia cotton mill workers faced long hours and low wages, with significant gender and age-based disparities. Families often relied on multiple members working in mills, coming from impoverished backgrounds. Mill companies built villages with essential amenities to attract workers, sometimes paying them in scrip usable only in company stores. The 1933 National Recovery Act introduced labor reforms, improving wages, hours, and safety, and ending child labor. Mill villages served as community hubs, reflecting the industrialization challenges of the early 20th century.

What was the typical workday length for Georgia cotton mill workers in 1909?

• 14 to 16 hours

• 8 to 10 hours

• 10 to 12 hours

• 12 to 14 hours

In 1928, what was the highest hourly wage earned by men working in the mills?

• 10 cents

• 15 cents

• 20 cents

• 25 cents

What was a common practice by mill companies to retain workers?

• Constructing mill villages

• Providing free meals

• Giving annual bonuses

• Offering free education

What form of payment was sometimes used by mill companies?

• Scrip

• Gold coins

• Credit cards

• Barter system

Which act introduced significant labor reforms in 1933?

• The Wagner Act

• The Social Security Act

• The National Recovery Act

• The Fair Labor Standards Act

What was one of the key changes brought by the National Recovery Act?

• Reduction of work hours to 4 days a week

• Establishment of industry-wide standards

• Introduction of child labor

• Increased taxes on mills

What was the role of mill villages in the lives of workers?

• They were places for vacation

• They served as community hubs

• They were used for storage

• They were temporary shelters

What was a common background for many mill workers?

• Sharecroppers or tenant farmers

• Urban professionals

• Ex-military personnel

• Former factory owners

How did the introduction of paved roads and car ownership affect mill villages?

• Made them obsolete

• Increased their importance

• Decreased their significance

• Had no effect

What was a significant outcome of the labor struggles in the early 20th century?

• Increase in child labor

• Worsening of working conditions

• Improvement of working conditions

• Decrease in wages