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Market Revolution: The Cotton Gin And Lowell System

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From 1800-1884, The Market Revolution was a big part of the nation. Developments in technology – railroads, and canals – and manufacturing – the Cotton Gin, and Lowell System – brought both positive social changes – such as the role women played in society – and economic changes, like the opportunity for all to work. The Market Revolution began with the advancement in manufacturing. In 1793, inventor Eli Whitney developed a machine known as the Cotton Gin. This was used to separate cotton from cotton seeds rather than do it manually. This development revolutionized agriculture and factory work, and unfortunately also led to a mass exploitation of African-American slaves. With an increase of machinery, the Boston Manufacturing Company was created by Francis Lowell as a place for all …show more content…

Like all companies, this one need laborers to operate machines. Instead of men, women were employed. This system of employment – known as the Lowell System – was nothing like anyone had ever seen. Before, women’s work consisted of them helping their husbands around the farm and raising a family. However, after the Lowell System, women developed a sense of independence, something they had never experienced before. Child labor also became common during the Market Revolution. Children were exposed to dangerous factory settings, with very little pay. Their size was beneficial in mines, they could do harder things that older people could not do because of their age, and were less likely to unionize. However, as the century progressed, many saw education to be more beneficial to children than working, so the number of children working in factories decreased, but never completely stopped. Not only did social change occur because of manufacturing, but economic change occurred as well. Before, money was made

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