Market Revolution Essay

The Market Revolution is a term to describe the economic expansion and transformation in America that came about during the first half of the nineteenth century. Mainly, the recognizing and focusing on the construction of new roads and canals that connected distant communities together for the first time. During these years, it was not industrialization that emerged, nor was it an emergence of major technological advancements. Important technological advancements did occur, but only in few industries. But, most of that time period's economic growth was not linked to new machinery, it was linked to the market.
It was through the construction of new roads and canals, that dramatic market expansion emerged. Thousands of miles of roads and canals, mostly funded by private developers and state governments, enabled manufacturers, craftsmen, and farmers to transport goods to distant markets in a much more affordable way. Not only did this period of time refer to a more expanded area of exchange, but it also refers to the approach producers were able to form when it came to planning and distributing their goods. Producing goods for mass quantities and not just for personal consumption enabled people to now be in control of deciding what to produce, what they should charge and where they should sell their goods on the market.
This approach is what made the Market Revolution, revolutionary. Before the emergence of roads and canals, Americans were limited to local markets. These local markets were an intertwining web of relationships and obligations that tied everyone in the community together. Neighbors exchanged their goods with neighbors, where each deal was managed by local standards and guidelines.
The new accessibility of distant...

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...ing came about in a time in history where church and state were constitutionally separated after the Revolution. Through the government, the church was required to balance economic activity, business, interests, and commercialization within it. The Second Great Awakening brought harmony to all people. Essentially it gave Christians a greater sense of unity because it exposed more people to each other. More and more were living closer together in cities and working in factories during this time. The awakening also brought together many groups that normally would not be seen together. This included whites and blacks and even the poor and rich. The main message of the Market Revolution and also the Second Great Awakening emphasized the significance of religious obligations as well as the how important the economy has on their lives.