The Market Revolution Questions

What innovations of the 1800s changed the American landscape? How did they do so?

What innovations of the 1800s changed the American landscape? How did they do so?

Some innovations of the 1800s that changed the American landscape include the cotton gin, steamboats, power looms, and the telegraph. The cotton gin boosted cotton production and was prominent in the South. Steamboats helped transport passengers and freight along the Mississippi River, power looms helped improve the textile industry in New England, and the telegraph improved long-distance communication.

Why was the period called the Market Revolution?

This period was called the Market Revolution because the growth of commerce defined it as more buying and selling on commercial markets. The period also expanded transportation, including turnpikes, improved roads, canals, railroads, and the introduction of the steamboat. Retail specialization was also introduced, as you could buy varieties of the same commodity. The market became denser and more complex during this period, which also helped bring more opportunities.

Why was the female labor force significant during this period? Why were women willing to work in factories?

The female labor force was significant because it meant that women were becoming more independent and trying to sustain themselves. It also pushed them away from the idea of being a housewife, as some of these girls were pushed into the workforce as children. Women were willing to work in factories because they got a sense of freedom, could work for their wages, and slowly save the money they earned. Women working in the mills were often not married, allowing even more freedom from societal standards.

What was the importance of the power loom in Lowell?

The power loom helped create the town of Lowell, Massachusetts. It also created jobs for almost 6,000 women from ages 16 to 23. Eventually, eight different mills were built, and they helped create many jobs for young women in the area.

What was the work environment like? How much were women paid?

The work environment was hot, poorly ventilated, and noisy. The workers also spent 12-13 hours standing every day. The women were paid $3.50, or $3.25 per week, equating to a few cents per hour, and spent $1.25 per week boarding in the boarding houses.

What impact did immigration have on cities such as Lowell?

Immigration made the female working force of cities such as Lowell die out as Irish immigrants began to replace the women working in the mills. This caused many female-operated mills, such as those in Lowell, to become much less unique than other mills.

What impact did publications have on promoting women and social reform?

Publications such as newspapers and magazines helped women promote and defend themselves in print. Newspapers such as The Voice of Industry helped women work on social reform and spread messages of their thoughts and ideas.

What impact did increased printing have on the nation, overall?

Many more children would become literate due to the increase of literature to read, with newspapers printing messages such as reform movements and religious statements. The general public became more literate, causing more demand for printed works, meaning more occupations for writers.

Why was the Erie Canal significant?

The Erie Canal ran from the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo, allowing for trans-Appalachian travel. This would also mean more commerce would occur in New York City, allowing merchants to access the West and transport goods from NYC to foreign nations.

What challenges did creators of the Erie Canal face?

The federal government did not want to fund the Erie Canal. Jefferson was very against the idea of the canal, and critics began to call it "Clinton's Big Ditch" as Governor Clinton of New York had proposed the canal and got it through the New York state legislature. There was also a 573-foot gap in elevation from the beginning and end points of the canal, requiring 83 locks to be built to raise and lower boats along the way. Many of the engineers who worked on the canal were also amateurs, many with no formal engineering education.

Who was the biggest winner with the development of the Erie Canal? Why?

The biggest winner with the development of the Erie Canal was New York City, as they began to capture some of the trade of the Midwest. New York City also became a place to begin manufacturing goods, as so many products were being shipped into the city. New York City became the commerce hub of the country.

Who was John Deere? Why was he significant to the development of the United States?

John Deere was a blacksmith who created the first self-polishing steel blade plow. It revolutionized farming in the Midwest as it could cut through the tough soil in the area. His plow helped expand farming in the Midwest, and many of his company's products are still widespread today.

Why did people move West? What were their goals?

People moved west for money, independence, and land. Many people at the time valued owning land. As many of the eastern manufacturing states became more crowded, buying land became much more complex, meaning working in factories when young and moving to the West later in life would be much more beneficial.

Discuss the case of Emily and Bob Logan. Why was this story significant?

Emily and Bob Logan were two enslaved people who had moved to Jacksonville, Illinois. Some residents convicted the enslaved people and said that they were legally free now that they were in Illinois. The residents helped Emily and Bob Logan escape and find shelter with a free black family. Another set of residents helped to kidnap Bob back, but Emily evaded capture. This story is significant because the shock the people of Jacksonville felt helped to start a slow but steady anti-slavery sentiment. It also helped to bolster Jacksonville's reputation among abolitionists, and the town eventually became a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The development of a sense of economic and political freedom became important in this time period. Why? What was significant about this viewpoint?

Economic and political freedom development became essential at this time because people began moving away from a mercantilist economy, where one had to produce raw materials, and the economy began to grow and diversify. Many immigrants from Europe, specifically Irish immigrants, began moving to America, further diversifying the landscape. People also began to seek opportunities to do what they wanted rather than what they had to do to make money.

What impact did the views that developed in this time period have on the relationship between the North and South?

People in the North viewed the South with disdain and viewed the South's agricultural economy as "behind the times."

People in the North viewed the people of the South with disdain and viewed the South's agricultural economy as "behind the times." The people of the North began to enjoy their "Free-Labor Economy," dominated by small farmers and small enterprises, where men could rise through the social system and achieve landed independence. The North also felt that the majority of people, namely enslaved people or poor whites, were controlled and exploited by plantation owners, causing Northerners to view themselves as unique and as the driving force of the nation.