Question

Established during the Middle Ages, guilds were associations of skilled artisans designed to institute quality standards, establish training programs, and set prices in industries such as glassblowing or masonry. What most likely happened to the guild system following industrialization?
A.
Guilds likely incorporated new skilled artisans with industrialization-era skills.
B.
Guilds likely became more powerful as fewer people learned trade secrets for these industries.
C.
Guilds likely became less powerful as artisans were replaced by machinery.
D.
Guilds likely expanded to include factory workers, laborers, and unskilled workers.

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. Guilds likely became less powerful as artisans were replaced by machinery. During the Industrial revolution mass production allowed businesses to produce larger quantities using less capital. They needed less workers when they began incorporating machines that could not only produce more products quicker, but could also produce them uniformly. This meant that fewer artisans would have been needed to make certain products.