The Market Revolution was a period of time in America where rapid change was inevitable. It changed the world & the future of America. Things that were beginning to become reality, that were beyond people's wildest imaginations. Inventions varied from sewing machines to the cotton gin. I wouldn’t say one invention was even more important than another, because they all impacted history. The cotton gin changed many things as far as the duties of slavery and also the amount of cotton being produced to export to other countries as wells he in America. Eli Whitney was the inventor, and with his invention slaves' duties changed, but they were still needed to harvest the cotton. The cotton gin separated the seeds out of the cotton fibers, which was once slaves jobs, but now they focused on harvesting because the demand increased so much.
Transportation changed drastically during e market revolution as well. The first U.S railroad was established during it . Also the first turnpikes and interstate roads were constructed. the turnpike was the first toll roads in our country and played an important role in transporting goods. This changed the game of trade as well as produced many jobs. Farmers and merchants were able to move their goods to greater distances. This changed the economy completely and really helped America move forward. Finally, lifestyle rapidly changed as well . People began moving out west because of the opportunities available. Open land for farming and the possibility of gold were just some of the opportunities. The way our country developed really affected how things are today. From transportation, to old historical structures that once and possibly still offer opportunity. Also the way women lived was slowly evolving.
The work women did at home was slowly becoming jobs that were done in factories. Their home duties change more to sustaining relationships and taking care of the kids. Women were seen as emotional and better home makers meaning men should make the decisions for the household because they wouldn't do it based off emotion. This gradually changed during this time as well, which is one reason women live the lives they do now. Women basically live the same lives men do now. Not in all cases,but most women are not the home makers anymore. The duties are split unless the family is divorced, which also wasn’t common during the time of the market revolution.
Beliefs also changed during the market revolution as well, part of the change in beliefs makes me think that is why society morphed slowly into what it is now. Some people wanted nothing more than to depend on themselves and no one but their sole self. This was called individualism. In my opinion there are still individualists today, but most people depend on society’s ways. People express individualism by expressing their own beliefs, the way they express themselves, and the things they choose to do to make them happy.
Even though freedom isn't new, people still embraced their rights and wanted to be seen as an individual, and capable of supporting themselves without the help of another. One man even said “ that events in the first half of the nineteenth century made the United States into the capitalist and liberal nation it is today.” I believe he was referring to the movement of individualism.
“The Industrial Revolution, which began in Europe in the 1700s, had producednew inventions and methods of production. American inventors transformed the U.S. economy with new innovations of their own.” The Market Revolution was basically to America as the Industrial Revolution was to Europe. Our country could use a revolution that had as much impact as this did now! (source 4)Links/Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_Revolution (3)
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/precivilwar/section6.rhtml (4)
http://www.cambridge.org/aus/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521709897 (2)
Packet from class written by Eric Foner (1)
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/precivilwar/section6.rhtml
