The history of the United States can be characterized by the presence of changes in mindset that herald shifts toward new types of economic systems. The elements of the Jeffersonian worldview became less contemporary by the middle of the nineteenth century. In particular, the change took place due to the impact of gender equality movements, the issue of slavery, and rapid population growth.
Among the reasons that affected the popularity of the yeoman farmer in a certain way is the rapid development of the movement for gender equality in the United States. In this connection, the Seneca Falls Convention that took place in New York in 1848 remains an important event.1
The document presented by Lucretia Mott outlines the ways to recognize gender inequality and unethical attitude toward women, paying special attention to male-dominated occupations and women’s limited access to education. Arguing that women’s abilities and talents are underestimated, the first feminists facilitated female leadership in western states.2 Due to the movement and its impact, women gradually became more independent, which justified a shift towards the expansion of large businesses.
Another aspect of social inequality, racial division, belongs to the reasons that changed the context, supporting the Jeffersonian worldview. Jefferson viewed justice and independence as principles that should form the basis of laws. In this connection, the abolition of slavery was seen as the key to a more prosperous life, even though the concept of gradual abolition was widely criticized.3 However, the economic interests of plantation owners were contrary to those principles, and the slave trade was to support the growth of the agricultural business.4 Despite this human rights-orientedness, slavery was legalized again in the middle of the nineteenth century in the South.
During that period, the views on the nature of slavery were extremely different in the North. Some members of newly established commercial elites in Northern states contributed to the creation of the hard-working culture as opposed to Southerners, who valued leisure and effortless living.5
One more reason why the Jeffersonian worldview gradually receded into the historical distance is the growth of the U.S. population due to increased immigration and the accession of new territories. The number of immigrants arriving in the United States significantly increased in the middle of the nineteenth century. The majority of new citizens were from European countries. Being promised a piece of land and employment, foreigners were ready to contribute to the country’s economic development.6
This open population growth had a significant impact on American society. It did not only help to propel agricultural endeavors in the country to the next level but also enriched American culture, making it more diverse.
In the end, a shift toward a new economic system took place because of numerous factors, including population growth due to immigration. The latter, along with the movements proclaiming gender and racial equality, enriched the American culture and helped to establish diversity as one of the key national values. The gradual transition from slavery to freedom initiated in the nineteenth century caused the need for more employment opportunities, and its impact on economic life cannot be overstated.
Bibliography
“A New Social Order: Class Divisions.” In U.S. History, edited by Scott Corbett et al., 263-268. Houston: Openstax, 2015. PDF e-book.
“Independence for Texas.” In U.S. History, edited by Scott Corbett et al., 310-315. Houston: Openstax, 2015. PDF e-book.
“Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain’t I A Woman?” Fordham University. Web.
Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, Susan Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds. History of Woman Suffrage. Rochester: Charles Mann, 1881.
“The Liberator: “To the Public” (1831).” PBS. Web.
“Women’s Rights.” In U.S. History, edited by Scott Corbett et al., 382-384. Houston: Openstax, 2015. PDF e-book.
Footnotes
- Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, Susan Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds. History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester: Charles Mann, 1881), 70.
- “Women’s Rights,” in U.S. History, ed. by Scott Corbett et al. (Houston: Openstax, 2015), 382-384.
- “The Liberator: “To the Public” (1831)”, PBS. Web.
- “Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain’t I A Woman?”, Fordham University. Web.
- “A New Social Order: Class Divisions,” in U.S. History, ed. by Scott Corbett et al. (Houston: Openstax, 2015), 263-268.
- “Independence for Texas,” in U.S. History, ed. by Scott Corbett et al. (Houston: Openstax, 2015), 310-315.