The Production of Clothing and the Impact of the Cotton Gin

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the production of clothing, the historical context of fabric making, and the impact of the cotton gin on the economy and slavery.

What was the first step in making clothing a hundred years ago?

Gathering the raw material, such as wool from sheep.

What process was used to separate and untangle wool fibers?

Carding, which involved strong fingers and brushes.

What is the purpose of the spinning wheel in fabric production?

It is used to stretch wool slivers into yarn.

What was the role of the loom in fabric production?

To turn yarn into fabric through the weaving process.

Who performed weaving on looms in the past?

Both men and women participated in the weaving process.

What machine revolutionized the cloth making process in the 18th century?

The water-powered carding machine and water frame.

Who invented the cotton gin?

Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1783.

What was the main impact of the cotton gin on cotton production?

It enabled the production of 50 pounds of cotton a day, the work of 50 men.

How did the invention of the cotton gin affect slavery in the South?

It increased the demand for slaves as cotton production became profitable.

Why was cotton production labor-intensive before the cotton gin?

The seeds needed to be separated out from the fiber, which was very time-consuming.