Market Revolution as Turning Point in Womens Lives

The Market Revolution was a significant milestone for changes in womens lives in the United States in the nineteenth century. With the growth of industrialization, women gained new opportunities to work for money and release their potential outside their homes. Changes also occurred in womens societal roles and their growing competitiveness against men. The market revolution contributed to womens transition from domestic to industrial work, the development of education for women and female leadership, and the improvement of womens civil rights in the United States.

The Market Revolution was a turning point in womens transition from domestic to industrial work. In particular, one of the large-scale industries was cotton production, and many women were invited to work in cotton mills (Kleinberg, Chapter 3). By the 1920s, 85% to 95% of the labor force in such enterprises was constituted by women (Kleinberg, Chapter 3). Many female workers appreciated the opportunity to earn money, but it was challenging work. In her letter to a cousin, Lucy Ann, who worked in such a mill, complained that eventually, she had to give her money to her fathers hands where goes all my hard earnings, within prison walls, my sleepless nights (Ann, para. 2). Therefore, cotton mills provided jobs to women, but it was a hard labor, and many female workers remained subjected to domestic rules.

The appearance of new jobs for women on the market during the Revolution contributed to the development of education for girls. In her Treatise on Domestic Economy, Catherine Esther Beecher advocated for three-year liberal study for girls to assist them in the appropriate expression of their wishes and eventually help them secure the necessary funds (p. 61). Beecher was a teacher herself, and she recognized the importance of education for mainly the domestic well-being of women and their families. Although in the nineteenth century, educational opportunities consisted primarily of dame schools with no access to academies, some professions, including nursing, were less resistant to accepting women (Kleinberg, Chapter 4). As a result, market changes contributed to womens pursuit of education, which allowed them to become more secure and demanded in society.

Furthermore, womens occupations during the Market Revolution and the growth of education induced the development of womens independence and leadership. For instance, Lucy Larcom started to work at a cotton mill when she was eleven and saved money to receive proper education and eventually become a teacher (Kleinberg, Chapter 3). The Market Revolution provided women with more opportunities because many laborers could manage their finances aiming at future growth. Hence, the development of literacy made female works, including Catherine Esther Beechers, demanded among women. In the 1840s, Beecher had a significant influence in promoting the value of a woman in society and their equality with men (Beecher, p. 27-28). As a result, womens lives experienced more influence from other women who represented examples of leadership and independent thinking.

Finally, the abovementioned changes provoked by the Market Revolution significantly affected womens rights emergence and protection. More women became concerned about their rights and fought for female equality (Corbett et al., p. 346). In addition, the abolitionist movement emerged in the 1830s focusing on liberating enslaved people; and it also served as a foundation for women to protect their freedoms (Corbett et al., p. 346). Eventually, it led to antebellum reform movements insisting on providing women with a political voice and enhancing their ownership rights (Kleinberg, Chapter 6). Therefore, the economic development related to the Market Revolution created a substantial foundation for women to protect their value to society and struggle for equal rights.

Overall, the Market Revolution in the United States had a significant effect on womens lives. It contributed to emerging jobs for women, the growth in demand for womens education, the development of female leadership and influence, and the emerging movements for womens rights. Women received more opportunities to become independent individuals who could provide for themselves and choose a life not reduced to domestic responsibilities.