What was the main objective for establishment of Cotton Supply Association (1857) and the Manchester Cotton Company (1859) in Britain?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → To encourage cotton production in every part of the world suited for its growth
Before the 1860s, three-fourths of Britain’s raw cotton came from America, and British cotton manufacturers worried about what would happen if this supply were ever cut off. So they looked for other sources: the Cotton Supply Association was founded in 1857 and the Manchester Cotton Company in 1859, with the objective “to encourage cotton production in every part of the world suited for its growth”. India, with suitable soil, a favourable climate and cheap labour, was seen as a country that could supply cotton to Lancashire if the American supply dried up.
NCERT (2025-26): “3.4 Then came the cotton boom … Before the 1860s, three-fourths of raw cotton imports into Britain came from America. British cotton manufacturers had for long been worried about this dependence on American supplies. What would happen if this source was cut off ? Troubled by this question, they eagerly looked for alternative sources of supply. In 1857 the Cotton Supply Association was founded in Britain, and in 1859 the Manchester Cotton Company was formed. Their objective was ‘to encourage cotton production in every part of the world… suited for its growth’. India was seen as a country that could supply cotton to Lancashire if the American supply dried up. It possessed suitable soil, a climate favourable to cotton cultivation, and cheap labour.…” |