Industrialization Dbq

The nineteenth century in the United States was a period defined by exponential growth both socially and economically as well as major westward expansion and urbanization. This time is referred to as the Industrial Revolution because of the heightened interest in manufacturing and production. Industrialization in the north most likely occurred as a result of the embargo act of 1807, a law that barred the United States from trading with other nations, as well as the war of 1812. The government policies during this time took an isolationist approach which resulted in a focus on inward improvement. Factories and manufacturing jobs steadily began to increase due to the fact that a majority of manufactured goods in the U.S. prior to the war of 1812 …show more content…
This concept was life changing for citizens because the market was under the control of the people, which in turn made the consumer the most important individual in the hierarchy. An individual's importance was no longer based off of their connections to nobility, but what they were able to buy. It is necessary for all members in a capitalist society to participate in order for the market to flourish. Women were included into the capitalist society initially through manufacturing work in the textile industry. For the first time, women’s work brought in resources from outside of the house and gave them wages that belonged solely to them. Unlike precapitalist societies in which gender roles and jobs had strict divisions that were justified by morality, capitalism called for an intermingling between the two. This opened an array of doors for women, especially those that were unmarried, because these jobs gave them the autonomy remove themselves from some of the restraints of the patriarchal farm …show more content…
Working women had the chance to break free from their homes and live with other women in boarding homes often had to pay for themselves. Many of the women working in these textile factories traveled from their rural homes in hopes of a more glamourous and independent life that was advertised to them. Although, in many cases, conditions that the women in factories had to deal with were far from luxurious there was always a steady stream of rural women to the city. Daily life no longer comprised of serving the men of the house and tending to the farm. As a result of the separation of work and home women now had leisure time in which they did a variety of activities ranging from art to songwriting. Reading the bible and novels became a popular activity amongst factory workers. Women also began publishing their creative works which gave them an outlet to let their voices be heard by the public. One of the most well known collections of literature from women during the Industrial revolution was the Lowell Offering, a magazine completely written and edited by the factory workers at the Lowell mills in Massachusetts. Despite the fact that he magazine’s focus heavily leaned towards the positive of factory life as a means to raise interest in working for the Lowell company, it was one of the first publications that allowed women to publicise their feelings and opinion. For the first time in American history