Compare how the status of women and free blacks evolved during this period. What did these changes have to do with the market revolution
Question 4: Compare how the status of women and free blacks evolved during this period. What did these changes have to do with the market revolution?
The market revolution was defined by a shift in economic opportunities for many Americans. Unfortunately, two groups mostly excluded from this eruption of new occupations were women and free blacks. While women did experience some of the economic benefits from this time period, free African Americans were excluded in both the Northern and Southern states.
From 1815 to 1845, jobs in expanding textile mills opened up opportunities for women to work jobs outside of the home. These jobs often brought hardships upon the women who chose to undertake them. One woman reminiscing wrote, “When I look back upon my life, and see the ups and downs, the hardships and privations I have been called upon to endure, I feel no wish to be young again.” (Foner, Voices of Freedom, pg 174) While the work conditions were dangerous and unpleasant, many women viewed the chance to work for their own money as a privilege. “Most valued the opportunity to earn money independently at a time when few other jobs were open to women.” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg 342) However, these occupations were never long term. Many women left the mills to get married after only a few years. But married life was also greatly affected by the Market Revolution. As men spent more time working, women bore more of the responsibility of settling family affairs. “…women did exercise considerable power over personal affairs within the family.” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg 359) The social status for women evolved into a more independent class with rights not enjoyed in America by women up to this point in history. Many future feminist movements have their roots in the mindsets developed during the Market Revolution.
Unlike women who did enjoy a few opening opportunities during the Market Revolution, free African Americans received no such benefits. “…even free blacks found themselves excluded from the new economic opportunities.” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg 357) Blacks did not change in social status through the years from 1815 to 1845. In fact, the free black social class began to devolve into an even more excluded working class because of the market demand at this time. “While many white Americans could look forward to a life of economic accumulation and individual advancement, large numbers of free blacks experienced downward mobility.” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg 357) This reduction in economic opportunity is a result of the competitive market trying to exclude low wage competition. Free blacks were willing to work for less than white artisans, so the powerful groups of established white workers would block black businesses from entering prosperous markets. Another aspect of the Market Revolution that reduced the free black social class was the fact that they struggled to get jobs with white employers. “White employers refused to hire them in anything but menial positions, and white customers did not wish to be served by them. The result was a rapid decline in economic status…” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, pg 358) Ultimately, the expanding market actually led to a decline in free black’s social status from 1815 to 1845.
Citation:
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: an American History. W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.
Foner, Eric. Voices of Freedom: a Documentary History. W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.
The post Compare how the status of women and free blacks evolved during this period. What did these changes have to do with the market revolution ACADEMIC ASSISTERS. ACADEMIC ASSISTERS.
>>>Click here to get this paper written at the best price. 100% Custom, 0% plagiarism.<<<
The post Compare how the status of women and free blacks evolved during this period. What did these changes have to do with the market revolution appeared first on First Class Essay Writers.
