4.6 Market Revolution: Society and Culture

Introduction

The Market Revolution, which took place in the United States in the early 19th century, was a period of significant economic growth and transformation. It was characterized by the increased use of new transportation technologies, such as steamboats and railroads, which allowed for the rapid movement of goods across the country. This led to the rise of a market economy, where goods and services were exchanged through buying and selling, rather than through bartering or self-sufficiency.

The Market Revolution also brought about significant changes in society and culture. The rise of factory production and the growth of cities led to the growth of a new working class, composed of factory workers and urban dwellers. This led to the development of new forms of labor, such as wage labor, and new forms of social organization, such as trade unions.

The Market Revolution also had a significant impact on culture. The rise of a consumer culture led to the growth of new forms of advertising, marketing, and consumer goods, which helped to create a new middle class. This new middle class, which was composed of merchants, manufacturers, and professionals, had more disposable income and more leisure time, which led to the growth of new forms of leisure and entertainment, such as theater, opera, and sports.

Overall, the Market Revolution of the early 19th century was a time of significant economic and social change in the United States, which had a lasting impact on the country's economy, society, and culture.

Urbanization

During the period of American expansion between 1800 and 1848, urbanization in America began to accelerate as more people moved to cities in search of job opportunities and better living conditions. The population of cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore grew rapidly during this time, as did the number of factories and businesses that required a steady supply of labor.

However, the rapid growth of cities also brought with it a host of problems. Housing was often overcrowded and poor, with many people living in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The lack of proper sanitation and waste management systems led to the spread of infectious diseases, and crime rates were often high. Additionally, many people lived in poverty and struggled to make ends meet.

Despite these challenges, the period of American expansion also saw the rise of a new middle class, as well as the growth of a more diverse population in cities. This period also marked the beginning of the industrial revolution in America, which brought about significant changes in the economy and society.

Women

As the country grew and urbanized during the 1800s, many women found new opportunities for work outside of the home. However, societal expectations and the "Cult of Domesticity" placed pressure on women to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers over their roles as workers. This led to a gender divide, where men were seen as providers and leaders in the public sphere, while women were expected to be caretakers and moral guides in the private sphere. Despite these societal pressures, many women still found ways to work and earn money, whether it be through domestic service, teaching, or working in factories like the Lowell Girls. However, the majority of working women were single, as married women were often discouraged from working outside of the home.

Sidney & Neff, Detail from Plan of the City of Lowell, Massachusetts, 1850. Wikimedia Commons.

Social Mobility

This sentiment led to the rise of Social Darwinism, the belief that society should allow the strongest and most capable individuals to rise to the top, while the weaker individuals should be left to fail. This idea was used to justify the inequality and poverty that existed in society, as it was seen as a natural and inevitable result of the survival of the fittest. However, this perspective ignored the role of societal and economic structures in creating and perpetuating inequality. Additionally, it disregarded the potential of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to improve their circumstances through hard work and opportunity.

Examples of Social Darwinism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries include:

1. Justification for colonialism and imperialism, as European nations believed it was their duty to bring civilization to "inferior" peoples.
2. Support for eugenics, a belief in the improvement of the human race through selective breeding and the sterilization of "unfit" individuals.
3. Opposition to social welfare programs, as they were seen as enabling the "undeserving" poor and undermining the survival of the fittest.
4. Discrimination against immigrants, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups, as they were seen as inferior and a threat to the dominant "superior" race.
5. Support for laissez-faire capitalism, as it was believed that the market would naturally sort out the strong and weak individuals.

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Key Vocabulary

The Market Revolution refers to a period of economic expansion and growth in the United States during the early 19th century. It was marked by the rise of new technologies such as the steam engine and factory system, which led to increased productivity, and a transformation of the economy from an agrarian to an industrialized one. This period also saw the growth of new transportation systems like canals, roads, and railroads which allowed for faster and more efficient movement of goods and people across the country. Additionally, it led to the expansion of markets and the rise of new commercial centers, which further accelerated the economic growth. This period had a significant impact on American society and economy, shaping the country's development in the following centuries.

The Lowell System was a factory system that was developed in Lowell, Massachusetts in the early 19th century. It employed large numbers of young, single women to work in textile mills and was characterized by strict discipline and long working hours. It was a significant development in the industrialization of the United States and helped to spur the growth of the American textile industry.

Social mobility, the ability of individuals to move up or down the social and economic ladder, was affected by the Market Revolution. While some people were able to improve their economic status through hard work and determination, others found it difficult to move up in society due to the increasing gap between the rich and poor.

The expansion of slavery in the United States during the Market Revolution was a significant and controversial issue. The growth of the cotton industry in the South led to an increased demand for enslaved labor, particularly in the southern states, where the cotton production was concentrated. This led to the forced migration of enslaved people from the older, tobacco-growing areas of the South to the newer cotton-growing regions, such as Mississippi and Alabama. The issue of slavery became a major point of contention between the North and South and ultimately led to the rise of abolitionist movements and ultimately the American Civil War. The expansion of slavery also contributed to the division of the country, as the North and South grew increasingly politically, economically and culturally different. The question of slavery's expansion would become one of the major underlying causes of the Civil War.

During the Market Revolution, the influx of immigrants from Europe, particularly from Ireland and Germany, led to increased competition for jobs and housing, and it also led to tensions between immigrants and native-born Americans. Nativists, or those who opposed immigration, believed that immigrants were a threat to American culture and values, and they advocated for stricter immigration laws and regulations. They argued that the new immigrants were taking jobs away from Americans, lowering wages, and overwhelming American society. Nativists also believed that the immigrants were not assimilating to American culture, customs, and values, and they were a danger to the American way of life. These anti-immigrant sentiments led to the rise of anti-immigrant movements and the passage of restrictive immigration laws, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, which prohibited Chinese immigration for over 60 years. The relationship between immigrants and nativists during the Market Revolution was complex and marked by tension and conflict, which would continue to shape the American society in the following century.

These new cities also attracted immigrants who were looking for economic opportunities and a better life. They often worked in the growing industrial sector, and their labor helped to fuel the growth of these cities. The rapid urbanization also brought challenges such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and crime. Despite these challenges, the growth of these new cities was seen as a sign of progress and a reflection of the country's expanding economy.

Unions became more popular during the Market Revolution as workers sought to improve their rights and conditions in the workplace. The Commonwealth v. Hunt case in 1842 established the legality of labor unions and the right of union workers to strike if an employer hired non-union workers. Unions played a key role in the labor movement of the 19th century, advocating for better wages, working conditions, and the right to organize. They also played an important role in the political arena, pushing for labor laws and regulations to protect the rights of workers.