Industries have proved to be a turning point in the history of the development of economies. Wales was the first industrial nation in the world in 1850. However, there have been instances where small-scale industries have been vanquished to make space for big industries. While we are on the topic, do you know what caused the end of the cottage industry, and why was cottage industry replaced by mills? Coming to think of it, let’s see what happened to the cottage industry after the Industrial Revolution.
1. What are Cottage Industries?
An industry that included numerous workers working from their homes, mostly organized through the putting-out system. The term putting out means the merchants give the basic materials to the workers, and they prepare the necessary products at their houses. It included tasks like making wall hangings, laces, and sewing. These industries were prominent when the main occupation of people was agriculture. Also, check out the advantages of working from home.
2. What are Different Types of Cottage Industries?
The primary goal of cottage industries was to produce goods for resale in the market. There were a variety of items made by these industries. Carpet making, cotton weaving, leatherwork, metalwork, and silk weaving were some of them. Mostly, women handled these industries because men were busy with fieldwork. (See How to Work at Checkers?)
3. What is meant by Industrial Revolution?
The transition of old manufacturing and production processes into new processes involving machines is termed the industrial revolution. It is thought to have started somewhere in 1760 to 1820 and in some places till 1840. However, it also included a transition from manpower to steam power, water power, new chemical manufacturing processes, the development of machine tools, and the ultimate mechanized factory system. Also, check out the 4 most important inventions of the Industrial Revolution.
4. What caused the End of the Cottage Industry?
Eager to know why was cottage industry replaced by mills? Since everything was based on human labor, the pace of work was slower in comparison to the increasing demands of the growing population. However, here you will see a list of problems related to cottage industries that led to their probable decline. (See What were some Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution?)
5. How did Widespread Illness become the Cause?
During that time, various types of diseases were spread across various countries. According to the researchers, diseases like typhus, cholera, smallpox, tuberculosis, and typhoid were causing havoc in different nations. People were dying from these diseases, mostly poor people, and this caused these cottage industries a severe blow and a boost to the new industries.
6. Was Lack of Marketing the Reason?
There was little or no marketing of the products produced by the sole producers who did not have a potential merchant. The merchants went from one place to another to trade the products produced by these cottage industries, but they sold them in their name. They did not market the products, which did not create a recurring demand. Because of this, several cottage industries do not even get new orders. Must read how to develop a new product from concept to market?
7. How did Poor Infrastructure lead to its Decline?
They had small thatched houses, and in some parts of the world, their houses were not strong enough to withstand rain and snow. This led to great damage to the raw materials and ultimately delayed the work. They do not have safe places where they can work peacefully without fearing any natural disasters. This is one of the reasons why was cottage industry replaced by mills. (See 23 Best Modular Homes)
8. Why were They Short of Raw Materials?
Raw materials were provided by the merchants, but in times of urgency when the industrialists ran out of materials, they had to wait for the arrival of merchants for a new batch of raw materials. When the merchant returns from their journey after selling the goods, they provide the workers with raw materials. It led to unnecessary delays in production. (See What is the Importance of Transportation in your Life?)
9. Did Local Taxes burden Them?
Numerous types of local taxes were burdening these people who had to spend their hard-earned money on paying taxes. The poor have to provide for their families too, and with such little money left in hand after paying those heavy taxes, they cannot gather new or better raw materials themselves. Also, check out why do you have to pay taxes?
10. How was the Credit System?
The credit system was just another way for moneylenders to leech off these workers for their money. There were places where the credit facility was not prevalent at that time, and where it was, the interest charges were very high. Some people got into the vicious circle of these moneylenders, while others kept themselves from lending. (See What is Accounts Receivable with Recourse?)
11. Why was the Management Inefficient?
Since the products were manufactured in houses, the producers of the goods were responsible for them. They were mostly women, and they had to manage work and household chores together and look out for their families at the same time. There were no fixed working hours. This lack of management led to a considerable delay in the work resulting in the decreasing demand for cottage industries. This is also the reason why was cottage industry replaced by mills. (See How to Deal with Difficult People at Work?)
12. Why was Cottage Industry Replaced by Mills?
- The cottage industries were controlled and maintained at home, which made them slower, and the work often got delayed.
- There was no boss or supervisor of the work to manage things and get them done in a limited period. All these were seen as the delay factors in the final output.
- The cottage industries were not capable of facing the competition with the newly set-up mills and factories because of the lack of several amenities or machines.
13. How did Lack of Knowledge lead to its Decline?
Most of these cottage industries were managed by poor families. Some were a little educated, while most of them were illiterate. They lack the skills to keep their business running in the long run because they are not aware of the changes taking place in the market. This lack of information and knowledge also paved the way for the decline of these industries. You can also read how to do Multitasking Skills Test: what are their abilities?
14. What happened to the Cottage Industry after the Industrial Revolution?
The industrial revolution was like a big wave of change that hit the entire world. Many small-scale producers and manufacturers were wiped out in this tsunami of change. It was the time when the creation of large-scale industries began and factories were constructed in the city centers. They need more and more workers to work. People left unemployed after the decline of cottage industries and other small-scale industries came forward and joined the factory workforce.
In conclusion, the inadequacy of the cottage industries became the reason why was cottage industry replaced by mills, and definitely, the above-mentioned factors proved to be the ones that caused the end of the cottage industry. Also, the shift of the workers to the factories was what happened to the cottage industry after the Industrial Revolution. Don’t forget to share with your friends and let them know what caused the end of the cottage industry and why was cottage industry replaced by mills. (Also read How has Technology changed Work?)
