Major changes in American society between 1800 and 1840

¶ … American society between 1800 and 1840 and why they are significant

Three Major Changes in American Society 1800-1840: Industry, Temperance, and Women's Rights

In comparison to ancient societies around the world, U.S. American history is considerably short. Although America was established less than two and a half centuries ago, its history is rich with political, geographical, and social change. One period in American history highlighting such changes was during 1800-1840. During this time, America experienced the Louis and Clark expedition, Westward expansion, the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the foundation of the Abolitionist movement was laid, among several other events that helped shape American history. The period during 1800-1840 marked a multitude of changes in American society as well. Three major, notable, changes in American society during this time were: the Industrial Revolution, the Temperance movement, and attention given to the equal rights of women. The Industrial Revolution signified the transition from hand-production to the use of factories and machinery. The Temperance movement was an effort to decrease the consumption of alcohol in the U.S., and the status of women was gaining momentum by the first few women campaigning for equal rights. Each of these instances played a significant role in American society during the pre-Civil War era, with influences of the Industrial Revolution and the status of women extending into modern time. The Temperance movement ended in the 19th century as a failed reform movement, however serves as an example of one social group trying to change another social group.

The Industrial Revolution marks the human transition from hand and home made products to the use of machines and factories to produce goods. This transition eventually influenced almost every aspect of daily life in some respect. The process began in the United Kingdom, and by the early 1800's the Industrial Revolution was being implemented in America. This transformation converted America from an agricultural society to an industrial society with the achievement of three key changes: the invention of machines to replace the use of hand tools, the use of steam and power conversion to replace the manual energy used by humans and animals, and the beginnings of the factory system (Hackett). Examples of innovations arising from the Industrial Revolution include cotton spinning to revolutionize textile and cloth manufacturing, steam engines and steam power to operate machinery, and advances in iron making allowed for more iron to be available for buildings and infrastructure. One of the most important inventions during this time was by the American inventor, Eli Whitney, who invented the cotton gin (Hackett). The cotton gin mechanized the removal of seeds from cotton fibers, which was previously performed by hand. This helped to fuel the textile industry as the South greatly increased its cotton production, and is a key example of hand made processes being converted to the use of machines.

Initially, however, America was slow to adopt the use of machines and factory work due to the nation being low on capital to cover the needed start-up costs. It wasn't until the War of 1812 and the overall removal of men from cities as they pursued Western territories, did wealthy individuals begin to assess the need, and invest in machines and factories. Once factories and mechanized processes were established it greatly changed American society. People began to move from farms to cities to find work. This changed American commerce, and also had its disadvantages. As people moved to cities, this increased the spread of disease and eventually labor laws and labor unions were established to maintain worker's rights (Hackett). Each of these instances stems from the Industrial Revolution and contributed to the change in American society.

While the Industrial Revolution was redefining America's foundation from agriculture to industry, the Temperance movement was one of the most popular pre-Civil War reform movements. The Temperance movement was a social movement that began in the early 1800's, and its goal was to restrict the consumption of alcohol in the U.S. (Gusfield). As the Industrial Revolution contributed to larger populations in cities as people left farm life for factory work, poverty increased in urban areas and laws were not always enforced. These elements played a role in the increase of alcohol consumption. American society was changing as more people were moving to cities, and altered the seemingly typical way of living for Americans. The government was usable to quickly adjust to meet these poverty, living, and labor issues, and people turned to alcohol as a way to cope with their environment.

The Temperance movement was initiated by ministers and doctors claiming alcohol consumption would decrease physical and psychological health. In response, those that associated and approved of the Temperance movement tried to ban the making of whiskey. Critics of the Temperance movement during the time period, as well as modern researchers, viewed Temperance as a form of social control and as a political symbol. The Temperance movement was one of the most popular pre-Civil War social reform tactics, and made individuals question the political right to influence social change. The Temperance movement set a precedence in American society as "the moral people, in this case the abstainers, [attempt] to correct the behavior of the immoral people, in this case the drinkers" (Gusfield 2). Social movements and social reform are still critical in the present time, involving a claimed "moral" side vs. An "immoral" side. The Temperance movement changed American society as it became an example of one social group trying to dictate the rights of another social group, which is still an attempted process in the modern world.

Another movement that made its attempt on social change during 1800-1840 in American society was the status of women and value of women's rights. In this time, gradual shifts occurred in American society which changed the view of the accepted role for women. Prior to the 19th century, it was expected that women contribute to the economy in some fashion, whether they were single or widowed. The fewer female to male ratio in society made women more valuable and in this time period, women were needed to help sustain the local economy. Young girls were expected to apprentice beside young boys, and learn skills to help their towns and families (Lerner 8).

Before the 19th century the women's role had value, but by 1840 all of American society had changed. The Industrial Revolution, resulting urbanization and industrialization, had created new wealth for many. Women who were wives to the wealthy were able to benefit, however during the industrial and urban shift also created their loss of economic influence and any political power (Lerner 11). Women who were professionals as doctors, midwives, and other professions were faded out of their practices. As the Industrial Revolution created wealth for some men, it simultaneously created a need for a workforce which was eventually filled by women and children. During this time some women were finding work in the factories, while other women were married into wealth. This caused a shift in economic class between women. A change in American society followed, widening the gap between economic classes while creating two identities for the roles of women (Lerner 12). By the 1830s, a few women's rights advocates had emerged, leading to the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 which was the first women's rights convention. This societal change continued over the coming decades and spans into present day as women still compete for equal treatment and rights.