Calico Acts facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act for the more effectuall imploying the Poor by incourageing the Manufactures of this Kingdom. |
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| Citation | 11 Will. 3. c. 10
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| Dates | |
| Commencement | 29 September 1701 |
| Repealed | 15 July 1867 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1867 |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to preserve and encourage the woollen and silk manufacturers of this kingdom, and for more effectual employing the poor, by prohibiting the use and wear of all printed, painted, stained or dyed callicoes in apparel, household stuff, furniture, or otherwise, after the twenty fifth day of December one thousand seven hundred and twenty two (except as therein is excepted). |
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| Citation | 7 Geo. 1. St. 1. c. 7 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 23 March 1721 |
| Commencement | 25 December 1722 |
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Status: Repealed
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The Calico Acts were two important laws passed in England in 1700 and 1721. These laws aimed to stop the import of most cotton fabrics into England. Later, they also limited the sale of many cotton textiles. These acts were a type of economic protectionism. This means they were designed to protect England's own businesses. They were mainly a response to India, especially the Bengal region. India was very strong in the world cotton textile market at that time. The Calico Acts helped set the stage for the Industrial Revolution in Britain. During this time, Britain eventually became the world's top textile maker in the 1800s.
Contents
Why Were the Calico Acts Created?
The Rise of Cotton
The English East India Company started bringing cheap, colorful cotton fabrics to Britain. These fabrics were called calico and chintz. This happened after the monarchy was restored in the 1660s. At first, these fabrics were just a small side business. They came from the company's spice trading posts in Asia.
However, the cheap and colorful cloth quickly became very popular. By the late 1600s, its value was even higher than the East India Company's spice trade. The company saw this demand. They built more factories in Asia. They started importing huge amounts of cloth. This created big competition for England's own wool and linen textile makers.
Protests and Parliament's Response
People who worked with wool and linen were very upset. This included weavers, spinners, dyers, shepherds, and farmers. They complained to Parliament, which is like a country's main law-making body. Mobs even stormed the East India Company's offices. People who wore imported cloth were sometimes attacked. The "calico question" became a major political issue in England. This lasted from the 1680s to the 1730s.
Parliament noticed that sales of local textiles were falling. At the same time, more and more textiles were being imported. These came from places like China and India. Parliament saw the East India Company's textile imports as a threat. They worried about England's own textile businesses.
The First Calico Act: 1698
Because of these worries, Parliament passed the Encouragement of Manufactures Act in 1698. This law tried to stop the import of cotton cloth. However, there was a problem. The law did not punish people for selling cotton cloth. So, people continued to smuggle and sell the popular material.
The Second Calico Act: 1721
Parliament was not happy with the results of the first act. So, in 1721, they passed a stricter law. This new act banned the sale of most cottons. This included both imported and locally made cottons. The only exceptions were cotton thread, Fustian (a type of fabric), and raw cotton.
How the Acts Changed England's Industry
The exception for raw cotton was very important. At first, England imported about 2,000 bales of raw cotton each year. This raw cotton became the start of a new local industry. They first used it to make Fustian for the English market.
More importantly, this led to new machines for spinning and weaving cotton. These machines were developed to process the raw cotton. This machine-based production happened in new cotton mills. These mills slowly grew. By the early 1770s, England was importing 7,000 bales of cotton each year. The new mill owners then asked Parliament to remove the ban on making and selling pure cotton cloth. They wanted to compete with the East India Company in the British cotton market.
The Calico Acts were finally removed in 1774. This led to a huge wave of investment in cotton mills. The demand for raw cotton doubled within a few years. It then doubled again every ten years until the 1840s. An Indian historian named Prasannan Parthasarathi said that machines and the factory system helped British cotton makers. They could make more and better quality textiles than India. Also, textile workers in England were paid more than those in India.
Key Laws and Tariffs
Here are some of the important laws and taxes related to the Calico Acts:
- 1685 – A 10% tax was put on imported goods from East India.
- 1690 – The Impost of 1690 added a 20% tax on imported goods from East India. This included silk and other foreign items.
- 1700 (11 Will. 3) – The Encouragement of Manufactures Act was passed. This law banned most imports.
- It stated that after September 1701, certain goods had to be stored in warehouses. These included silks, Bengals, and fabrics mixed with silk from Persia, China, or East India. Also, all printed or dyed calicoes were included. None of these goods could be worn or used in England. If found, they would be taken away. There was also a penalty of £200 for anyone having or selling them.
- 1700 – A 15% tax was placed on Muslins and other East India goods.
- 1700 – The tax on exporting English woolen products was removed.
- 1707 – A 50% tax was placed on Indian goods.
- 1721 – The Calico Act was passed. This law banned the sale of most cotton textiles.
- Its full title was "An Act to Preserve and Encourage the Woollen and Silk Manufactures of this Kingdom, and for more Effectual Employing the Poor, by Prohibiting the Use and Wear of all Printed, Painted, Stained or Dyed Callicoes in Apparel, Household Stuff, Furniture, or otherwise, after the twenty fifth Day of December one thousand seven hundred and twenty two".
- 1730s – The acts were changed. An exception was made for the sale of British-printed fabrics.
- 1774 – The Calico Acts were officially removed.
