Member-only story

The Fight Against Imports and the Decline of the Textile Industry

Fred Foster

·2.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Empty Mills: The Fight Against Imports And The Decline Of The U S Textile Industry

5 min read · 1 week before

1k View Claps

80 Respond

Save

Listen

The textile industry has been a vital part of the American economy for centuries. In the early 19th century, the United States was the world's leading producer of textiles. However, the industry began to decline in the late 19th century, due in part to the rise of imports.

Empty Mills: The Fight Against Imports and the Decline of the U.S. Textile Industry

by Timothy J. Minchin

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2898 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	352 pages

The first major wave of imports came from Europe. In the 1880s and 1890s, European countries began to flood the American market with cheap textiles. This led to a decline in prices and a loss of jobs in the American textile industry.

In response to the rising tide of imports, American manufacturers began to lobby for protectionist policies. In 1890, Congress passed the McKinley Tariff, which raised tariffs on imported textiles. The McKinley Tariff helped to slow the decline of the textile industry, but it did not stop it.

In the early 20th century, a new wave of imports came from Asia. Japan, China, and India began to produce textiles that were even cheaper than those from Europe. This led to a further decline in the American textile industry.

In response to the rising tide of imports from Asia, American manufacturers again lobbied for protectionist policies. In 1930, Congress passed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, which raised tariffs on imported textiles to record levels. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff had a devastating impact on the American economy. It led to a trade war with Europe and a decline in global trade. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff is widely considered to be one of the worst economic policies in American history.

The decline of the textile industry has had a significant impact on the American economy. The loss of jobs in the textile industry has led to a decline in the manufacturing sector as a whole. The decline of the textile industry has also had a negative impact on the American economy.

The fight against imports is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is important to understand the history of this issue in Free Download to make informed decisions about the future of the textile industry.

The Impact of Imports on the Textile Industry

The rise of imports has had a devastating impact on the textile industry. The following are some of the key impacts:

**Loss of jobs:** The textile industry has lost millions of jobs in the United States in recent decades. In 1970, there were over 2 million people employed in the textile industry. Today, there are less than 500,000 people employed in the industry.
**Decline in manufacturing:** The textile industry is a major part of the manufacturing sector. The decline of the textile industry has led to a decline in the manufacturing sector as a whole. In 1970, manufacturing accounted for 26% of the American economy. Today, manufacturing accounts for less than 12% of the American economy.
**Negative impact on the economy:** The decline of the textile industry has had a negative impact on the American economy. The loss of jobs and the decline in manufacturing have led to a decrease in economic growth.

The Future of the Textile Industry

The future of the textile industry is uncertain. However, there are a number of things that can be done to help the industry recover. These include:

**Investing in new technology:** The textile industry needs to invest in new technology in Free Download to compete with foreign producers. This includes investing in new machinery and new production processes.
**Developing new products:** The textile industry needs to develop new products that are in demand by consumers. This includes developing new fabrics and new designs.
**Promoting American-made products:** Consumers need to be encouraged to buy American-made products. This can be done through marketing campaigns and other promotional efforts.

The textile industry is a vital part of the American economy. The fight against imports is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is important to understand the history of this issue in Free Download to make informed decisions about the future of the textile industry.

Empty Mills: The Fight Against Imports and the Decline of the U.S. Textile Industry

by Timothy J. Minchin

4.6 out of 5