In America, the Market Revolution changed America from a subsistence culture to a self-sufficient Market Society. Commerce was transformed from a meager local endeavor to a regional, national, and international system. …show more content…
In a nutshell, the wealthy (Whigs) were the beneficiaries of the growth – the elites; and the Democrats were the defenders of the working class. The growth also thrust women and children into the workforce. As the wealthy became wealthier, the middle and poor workers had to have all family members contribute to keep afloat.
The growth also brought up concerns about the environment. Though not immediately addressed with regulation, the living conditions of people in larger cities were a real issue. Air pollution, clean drinking water and sewage disposal were health and safety concerns.
In conclusion, America experienced substantial growing pains on all levels during the 19th century. Though not addressed in this chapter, Transcendentalism becomes more apparent with works by Emerson and Thoreau. The government’s actions or inactions towards slavery, politics, and Native Americans spawn some of the most famous writings of the time (Goodman,