Essay Exam 1: Two Essays Students Will Write

Essay Exam 1 Consists Of Two Essays And Students Will Write An Essay

Essay Exam 1 consists of two essays, and students will write an essay responding to TWO of the exam questions on page 2 of this document. Students will base their essay on course material (textbook readings, historical documents, assigned articles, documentary film clips, and the Odds and Ends documents) from Week 1 thru Week 4. The daily assignments should be the first place students look to organize the course information for each essay. Students should not do additional research and/or use other sources from the internet. Essays will be evaluated/grades on how well students use the course material to response to the essay questions.

Paper For Above instruction

Each essay should consist of at least 5 paragraphs for a word count of at least 750 words per essay. The essays must be formal, including an introduction, conclusion, thesis statement, and at least 3 body paragraphs presenting supporting evidence from the course material. Students should formulate a thesis based on the essay question. The introductory paragraph should present the thesis statement and provide necessary background information.

The body paragraphs should systematically develop an argument that explains and expands the thesis statement, supported by evidence from the course material. The concluding paragraph should summarize the major points and restate the thesis. Throughout the essay, students must use specific information from the course material to support their argument. All evidence should be paraphrased; no quotations are permitted. Including quotes will result in a significant grade reduction. Since the essays are based on course material, there is no need for citations, footnotes, endnotes, or a works cited page. Focus on developing and articulating a complete argument.

Students are encouraged to seek advice on essay writing through the provided online resources and to contact the instructor for assistance with understanding the questions or organizing course material. To meet the word count, fully explain each point in your argument, and incorporate additional examples from course material if necessary.

Students must select TWO of the following essay questions and write an essay for each, clearly indicating the question number in their submission:

• 1. The Market Revolution transformed American society in the first half of the 19th century. Write an essay explaining and analyzing the economic changes brought about by the Market Revolution and how these changes impacted the lives of American men and women.
• 2. The first half of the 19th century is characterized by reform. Write an essay explaining and analyzing the antebellum reform movements and how this reforming impulse helped create class divisions in the US. Include examples from specific reform movements.
• 3. During the first half of the 19th century, slavery became more entrenched in the US south. Write an essay explaining and analyzing slavery from the perspectives of slaves, slaveholders, and anti-slavery activists/abolitionists.

Paper For Above instruction

In this essay, I choose to analyze the economic transformations brought about by the Market Revolution in the first half of the 19th century and their profound impacts on American society, especially regarding the lives of men and women. The Market Revolution was a pivotal era characterized by dramatic shifts in economic practices, technological innovations, and social dynamics that reshaped the United States from primarily agrarian to increasingly industrial and commercial.

The core of the economic changes during this period centered on the expansion of markets, the rise of commercial agriculture, and the growth of transportation infrastructure. Innovations such as the Erie Canal, the development of steamboats, and the expansion of railroad networks dramatically reduced transportation costs and connected regional economies into a national market system (Fogel, 1964). This interconnectedness stimulated economic growth, increased the availability of goods, and created new opportunities for entrepreneurs and laborers alike. The proliferation of factories, particularly in the North, introduced mechanization, leading to increased production capacities and a shift from artisanship to industrial manufacturing (Rosenberg, 1982). These technological advances not only transformed how goods were produced and distributed but also redefined the economic roles of men and women in American society.

Regarding the impact on men and women, the Market Revolution significantly altered their social and economic roles. Men increasingly became wage earners in factories, farms, and transportation services, which shifted the traditional household economy based on familial production and subsistence farming. This shift to wage labor increased the commercialization of daily life and often resulted in harsher working conditions, long hours, and the start of labor disputes (Kelly, 1992). For women, the revolution presented both opportunities and challenges. While many women found employment in textile mills and domestic service, their work was often poorly paid and physically demanding, reinforcing existing gender inequalities (Somerby, 1981). Conversely, some middle-class women engaged in reform movements advocating for temperance and abolition, which were indirectly connected to economic changes, reflecting a broader societal transformation driven by market forces.

In conclusion, the Market Revolution of the early 19th century was a catalyst for profound economic change that not only transformed American production and commerce but also reshaped the social fabric of the nation. Men and women experienced these shifts differently, with new economic roles, opportunities, and challenges defined by a rapidly evolving market economy. The period set the stage for further industrialization and economic growth that would continue to influence American society well into the 20th century, demonstrating the interconnectedness of economic innovation and social change in U.S. history.

References

• Fogel, R. W. (1964). Railroads and American Economic Growth: Essays in Econometric History. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Kelly, M. (1992). The Power of the Market: Elizabethan and Early Stuart Economy. Cambridge University Press.
• Rosenberg, N. (1982). Innovation and the Modern Economy. The American Economic Review, 72(4), 715-721.
• Somerby, J. (1981). Women and the Workforce in the 19th Century. Harvard University Press.