Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

In the 1860s, the American Civil War disrupted cotton supplies from the USA to Britain. Britain then turned to India for raw cotton, causing raw cotton exports from India to rise sharply. As a result, the price of raw cotton shot up. Indian cotton weavers were starved of sufficient supplies and were forced to buy raw cotton at exorbitant prices. This made weaving uneconomical — the cost of the raw material was so high that weaving could not pay.

Source: Chapter 4, Section 3.3 — Manchester Comes to India

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The examiner expects three clear points for 3 marks:

1. Cause — American Civil War cut off US cotton supply to Britain.
2. Effect on supply — Britain sourced raw cotton from India, increasing exports and causing a shortage for Indian weavers.
3. Effect on weavers — prices of raw cotton became exorbitant, making weaving financially unviable.

Avoid vague statements. Use specific terms: "American Civil War," "exorbitant prices," "starved of supplies." Do not mix this crisis with the earlier Manchester imports problem — they are separate issues.