Final answer:
Children were the group that worked for the lowest wages in textile mills in North Carolina, often hired for their ability to fit in small spaces and their cheap labor costs. Women and immigrants, including Irish immigrants, also faced low wages and harsh conditions in the textile industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group that worked for the lowest wages in textile mills in North Carolina were children. Historical accounts demonstrate that in the early textile mill industry, children were often hired for menial tasks because they could be paid a fraction of what an adult man might earn. These children, who were typically young farm girls or urban children, were seen as a malleable and inexpensive labor force, small enough to fit in between machinery, making them ideal for roles such as "doffers". The employment of children in such capacities was widespread due to the economic necessity for families to supplement their income, despite the risks and harsh conditions.
In the broader context of the nineteenth century, women, including young women and immigrants, also faced low wages and poor working conditions. Factory owners capitalized on the economic desperation of these groups. For instance, in Lowell, Massachusetts, female textile workers, including many Irish immigrants, were paid less than men and faced intense work environments. The textile industry across different regions relied heavily on these demographics for its workforce, valuing their labor but offering minimal compensation.