The Market Revolution Effects Essay (Critical Writing)

Introduction

The Market Revolution had taken shape in America by 1873. The Market Revolution was a major event that reshaped the country’s economic, socio-political, and cultural patterns. New ideas and economic activities emerged in the country during the period. A new wave of immigration became evident in the country. This movement produced new methods of production and consumption. The period introduced new methods of industrial practice and economic performance.

The Market Revolution of the 19^th century affected the living conditions of many people in America. For instance, the new living conditions and social environments encountered in the country affected the health conditions of many people. According to many historians, the Market Revolution changed the lives of different people due to increasing rate of population growth¹. Many people decided to migrate to different urban regions during this period.

This movement revolutionized the conditions and experiences of many people in different American cities. This paper examines the effects of the Market Revolution on the public health of many American cities. This research examines how the Market Revolution affected the health and living conditions of many citizens in different American cities between the 19^th and 20^th century. The discussion will offer a critical exploration of the public health challenges experienced cities in America.

The Market Revolution and Public Health Concerns in American Cities

Historical Background of the Market Revolution

The Market Revolution had become a powerful force by 1793. The Market Revolution was a major historical event that reshaped the history of the United States. This development introduced new concepts thus affecting the lives and experiences of many people in different American cities.

According to different historical materials, the Market Revolution was concentrated in almost every urban region in the United States. To begin with, the development introduced new economic practices and activities. The country’s economy supported such activities. New inventions such as communication systems and transportations networks become evident during the period². These inventions continued to support the country’s emerging economy.

According to Benjamin Carp, the Market Revolution created the best environment for the Industrial Revolution. The author also believes strongly that the Market Revolution encouraged more people to invent new methods of industrial production. This development revolutionized the issues encountered in the country. For example, the revolution increased the number of industries that required new sources of labor.

These companies required cheap labor in order to achieve their goals. New methods of production emerged due to the increased use of electricity and modern technologies. This situation forced many people to migrate to different cities. This immigration created new opportunities and challenges in the country³. The increasing number of people in most of these cities continued to affect the health conditions of different American cities.

As mentioned earlier, many cities in the country began to embrace new methods of economic performance. New methods of production and economic performance emerged in different American cities. This development encouraged more people from different rural areas to migrate to these cities. Women and young children also embraced this wave of immigration.

This development attracted more people to different cities thus resulting in population explosion. New working-class regions and neighborhoods emerged due to this movement. Such neighborhoods continued to record an increasing number of dwellers⁴. These poorly packed cities affected the living conditions of many people. Most of these neighborhoods lacked proper structures.

Diseases, poor nutrition, and unacceptable living conditions characterized the first half of the century. Life expectancy in the country had reduced to less than 40 years. Many cities in America lacked Boards of Health. According to Tera Hunter, some major cities did not have health departments in 1875. The absence of Health Boards failed to support the health needs and living conditions of many citizens in these cities.

An increasing number of immigrants in different cities resulted in new challenges. The rate of urban growth produced new situations that called for an immediate attention. Some cities were recording new outbreaks and health concerns. This development affected the lives of many individuals⁵. Such cities failed to provide the best housing patterns. The drainage systems observed in different citizens forced the people to live in unfriendly communities. Many evils became evident in every urban slum in the country.

Increased Levels of Immigration and Deterioration of Cities

The Market Revolution encouraged more people to move from their rural regions in order to get good jobs and economic opportunities. These individuals wanted to achieve most of their goals in life. Many upcoming companies and industries in different urban regions absorbed most of these immigrants.

A large number of African Americans were also moving to different cities in the North. The increasing number of immigrants worsened the working conditions encountered in different companies and factories. New immigration patterns characterized the first half of the 19^th century⁶.

New ideas and practices became common in many cities due to the increasing rate of population growth. This development also increased the level of urban wastes. Different urban centers lacked appropriate frameworks to manage wastes and drainage systems. New malpractices such as poor waste disposal techniques became evident during the period.

Most of these individuals wanted to have their own housing units. This desire and development resulted in many slums. These slums lacked appropriate drainage systems. The troubling problem was that the number of people migrating to these cities was on the rise. This development explains how the Market Revolution of the 19^th century produced both negative and positive impacts on the lives of many people in America.

The effects of the Market Revolution on the people’s health conditions were something undeniable⁷. A wide range of problems also emerged during the period. For instance, many individuals did not have latrines and other appropriate services to dispose different wastes. The absence of appropriate social welfare programs made it impossible for these urban regions to promote the best health conditions.

Caste System and Public Health

It is agreeable that the American government did not support its people during the Market Revolution. The government failed to intervene in the changing market patterns. It was mandatory for the people to support their own health issues. The government did not manage Urban Development (UD) thus resulting in numerous urban slums.

Such slums continued to hurt the people and eventually affected the country’s economy. The increasing number of deaths and disease outbreaks continued to affect the lives of many people. The Market Revolution created numerous issues that continued to affect many citizens in the country⁸. Poor living conditions and inappropriate health systems became common during the period.

On the other hand, the rich in the society created their own residents while leaving the poor in congested neighborhoods. The rich decided to construct their own amenities and mansions. The central government expected its citizens to address their own health problems and challenges.

The rich continued to hire more people to work in their factories and companies during the Market Revolution⁹. These workers were incapable of having better living conditions. They offered cheap labor to these tycoons. This situation made it impossible for them to address their health issues. However, the emergence of the Middle Class reshaped the history of many American cities. New business agreements emerged between farmers and tycoons. Some people began to identify better regions to construct their homes.

On the other hand, the poor faced numerous evils that affected their lives in different slums. For instance, the poor lived in poverty. They encountered new cases of insecurity, inequality, and crime. The level of waste production was on the rise. Such wastes contaminated every surrounding environment. According to Stansell, this situation created more problems such as infections, diseases, and insecurities¹⁰.

These diseases continued to claim the lives of many Americans. The poor had no choice but to embrace their unacceptable living conditions. They received minimal or no support from the municipalities. It is agreeable that the Market Revolution of the 19^th century affected the health conditions of many people¹¹. The revolution also affected the country public health. Many historians believe strongly that the issue of Public Health deserved better attention during the period.

Overcrowding in Urban Slums

According to scholars, urban overcrowding was becoming a major challenge in many American cities. During the same period, poor diets and lack of poor sanitation systems worsened the living conditions of many American citizens. The existing sanitation and drainage systems could not accommodate the increasing population in different cities.

Most of the people living in different urban areas lacked appropriate health services¹². Such urban societies also lacked proper family planning practices. This fact explains why the number of newborn children continued to increase. Although life expectancy was very low during the period, the number of people in different cities increased.

Many working-class areas were poorly planned and filthy. Most of the roads connecting these neighborhoods lacked sidewalks. Most of the houses lacked proper planning thus leaving no room for healthy living conditions. Most of the houses lacked appropriate ventilations thus affecting the people’s living conditions.

According to Carp, most of the homes and houses lacked appropriate sewage systems¹³. The people consumed water from shallow wells. This discussion explains why overcrowding became a major challenge during the period. This problem would eventually result in more challenges in every American city.

Poor Living Conditions: A Cause for Concern

The living conditions of many people in different cities such as New York were pathetic and unacceptable. Such living conditions and experiences affected their health expectations of such people. This situation worsened because many immigrants were migrating from one city to another.

To begin with, most of the industries and factories had acquired new technologies and systems. Such acquisitions made it easier for different companies to produce more goods and products¹⁴. However, such factories did not identify the best ideas and practices to support the needs of their workers. Many were successful before the Market Revolution of the nineteenth century. However, the revolution produced new developments that affected the experiences and conditions of many people.

Many weavers, flower gardeners, merchants, and spinners were no longer getting enough support from their economic activities. This situation forced the people to look for new job opportunities. The individuals were also unable to promote their public health conditions. During the same period, the Industrial Revolution became evident in every major city in the United States¹⁵. The people were expected to look for new jobs.

They lacked the required time for personal recreation. They were sometimes forced to work for long hours. They did not get enough time to engage in various exercises or sporting events. This new development eventually resulted in detrimental impacts. The people began to lose their energies and morale. This development made it impossible for them to engage in different public health activities.

The roles played by different local governments were also undeniable. Such governments discouraged more people from engaging in different traditional activities and festivals. The country was mainly focusing on different methods of production and economic development¹⁶.

This fact explains why the living conditions of many Americans became unbearable during the period. Many families were unable to engage in various festivals. The people were unable to get the required medical attention and support. Many local governments were not ready to safeguard the experiences of their people. These governments also ignored the evils associated with the Market Revolution. This situation would eventually worsen the public health issues associated with many American cities.

Sanitation Problems and Diseases

To begin with, many urban regions such as Chicago, Pennsylvania, Washington, and New York did not have effective measure to support the health conditions of the people. This was the situation despite the increasing level of immigration during the 19^th century. The people in most of these cities were forced to consume dirty water from different wells and rivers.

According to different researchers, most of these wells did not offer clean drinking or cooking water. New diseases emerged thus affecting the lives of many people in these American cities. Most of the diseases affecting the lives of many people were associated with poor health conditions. The lack of clean drinking water and sanitation systems resulted in such diseases.

One of the major diseases affecting many people in New York City was cholera. This disease was common in regions or communities without proper health and sanitation practices. Many cities such as New York were densely concentrated¹⁷. This high number of individuals made it impossible for such cities to support the health conditions of different people.

As mentioned earlier, the activities and strategies embraced by different industries worsened the conditions of these urban regions. The wave of industrialization resulted in new challenges. The environmental effects of industrialization resulted in such outbreaks. The poster below explains how cholera had become a major challenge.

According to different historians, unsanitary conditions and environmental problems affected the lives of many Americans. The increasing number of people resulted in numerous problems. These problems led to the outbreak of many diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

Cholera, typhus, typhoid, and dysentery were becoming common in different urban locations. The problem of untreated human waste became one of the biggest issues affecting these cities. Waste water was also discharged without undergoing any kind of treatment¹⁸. The existing agencies lacked the required confidence thus failing to support the health conditions of many people. This issue continued to affect the lives of many American citizens.

Some other diseases associated with overcrowding also became common during the period. This development affected the lives and conditions of many individuals in different societies. For instance, tuberculosis became common due to lack of proper ventilations. These issues were evident in every industrial city in America.

An increasing number of people were dying annually due to diseases and poor living conditions. The responsible local governments and agencies did not embrace new strategies in order to deal with these diseases and social problems¹⁹. Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases continued to claim the lives of many American citizens. This issue continued to affect more people due to lack of appropriate interventions and medical practices.

Lack of Proper Medical Interventions

Most of the above health challenges and diseases could have been managed using various medical practices. However, most of the medical practices exercised during the period were inadequate. During the same period, the quality of health care and support was ineffective. The health condition of every person receiving medical treatment continued to worsen. This situation occurred because the number of untrained quacks and doctors was extremely high²⁰.

Such quacks embraced the use of traditional methods of treatment. Such malpractices made it impossible for many individuals to live for longer. Such doctors also used inappropriate methods of treatment such as bloodletting. They encouraged their patients to use laxatives. They also encouraged them to vomit frequently. Such treatment regimes dehydrated more patients and eventually caused unexpected deaths.

This issue continued to affect many children and infants in the United States. Life expectancy was declining in most of these cities. Many doctors and nurses in these urban regions were unable to support the changing health conditions of their patients²¹. It was also impossible for the individuals to deal with certain disease outbreaks during the period.

Early Ideas Employed to Deal With Urban Health Problems

Historians have examined the unique efforts identified by different individuals in order to deal with various public health challenges. During the early 19^th century, many government officials and policymakers were unaware of the major issues causing different health problems. The Market Revolution had produced many negative issues that made it impossible for many people to achieve their potentials.

However, some scholars began to examine the situation in order to present the best solutions. For instance, a new concept called transcendentalism emerged during the 19^th century. Transcendentalism became a powerful movement that was aimed at improving the lives of many individuals in America²².

Many scholars such as Henry Thoreau David began to examine the effectiveness of the natural environment. The scholar examined how human beings could use their natural environments to deal with various public health problems. Most of Henry’s ideas would eventually become useful to many environmentalists.

Establishment of New Public Health Policies and Agencies in America

Recurrent diseases and epidemics of cholera, yellow fever, and smallpox continued to terrorize the people. This concern forced different municipal governments to consider the best practices and ideas for effective public health development. These health issues affected the living conditions of individuals and their cities.

It was appropriate for the government to respond to these public health issues because the number of deaths recorded in the country were astounding. The government managed to establish the New York Metropolitan Board of Health in 1866. This event marked a new era in the development of the country’s public health policy²³. Many individuals in the country praised this move because it would improve their living conditions.

The other municipalities and cities in the country decided to establish their own health departments in order to support the demands of many people. For instance, Massachusetts established its health department in 1869. The state of California also established its health board in 1870.

The other states and municipalities that developed their departments included Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, Illinois, Minnesota, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, and Maryland. The changing living conditions and epidemics recorded in the country forced these states to establish their own Health Boards. The move was critical towards improving and producing better sanitation systems. The health of the people was a becoming a critical issue towards supporting the economic development of the country²⁴.

The country began to embrace new ideas and concepts for better health systems. The concept of a National Health Agency was a powerful step in the country. The development would continue supporting the changing health concerns and needs of many people in the country. Proper health systems would become relevant in a country that wanted to remain economically stable.

However, many historians believe strongly that the American government was not ready to promote the people’s living conditions by the end of the 19^th century²⁵. The central government expected every municipality to control and manage its health affairs. Congress responded to the existing situation by creating the National Board of Health in the1870s. However, this board was less significant towards supporting the health conditions of many citizens. This situation led to its disappearance in 1884.

Dealing With Public Health Challenges in 19^th and Early 20^th Century

Many health departments and state governments had implemented new laws and policies in order to deal with various problems. It is agreeable that the U.S. national government had not new plans to address various public health problems. The government began to consider the responsibilities undertaken by different organizations and agencies in order to support the living conditions of different individuals.

The issue of health was in the hands of different local governments. This development produced various challenges that affected the health of many people. In 1879, Congress decided to create the famous National Board of Health. This board did not achieve most of its targeted goals and outcomes. As mentioned earlier, the best solution was to do away with it.

New concepts such as health sciences emerged during the late 19^th century. For instance, different learning institutions and local governments began to examine the effectiveness of different health services. These agencies identified the best goals that can be obtained used effective administrative practices. Different scholars also embraced the use of scientific researches and findings in order to support the needs of different communities²⁶. It was relevant for different communities to have appropriate administrative structures.

Such efforts made it easier for different regions such as Michigan, New York, Alabama, Maryland, and Minnesota to deal with their respective public health problems²⁷. Many urban regions had managed to deal with most of the diseases and public health challenges by 1870. There was a significant decline in the development and frequency of various diseases. Many studies have also explained how different diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, and yellow fever had been contained by the 20^th century.

The United States also managed to reflect and examine the effectiveness of appropriate sanitary reform movements (SRMs). Different scholars undertook numerous studies and researches in order to understand the development of various diseases. Such scientific studies results in what historians called the bacteriological era.

New concepts in the early 20^th century emerged in order to improve the living conditions of different people²⁸. Such concepts encouraged different local governments to promote the living conditions of its people. The issue of public health was getting the best attention than ever before. The government encouraged different communities to embrace the best health practices. This approach would support the health conditions of many individuals.

The challenges and problems associated with the Market Revolution made it mandatory for different governments to identify the best health practices. The government also identified new strategies in order to provide clean drinking to different people in various urban areas.

It was also appropriate to provide proper drainage and sewerage systems. The government also introduced better policies that would become part of the social welfare programme. This strategy made it easier for the government to elevate the living conditions of many individuals to acceptable levels²⁹.

New concepts such as social welfare became evident in various communities. The achievements recorded today in public health borrow a lot from the Market Revolution. Many historians have examined the nature of the health challenges and urban problems encountered by many Americans in different urban regions. The diseases and sanitation problems encountered by these people would result in new ideas.

Such ideas transformed the living conditions of many people in America. The lessons obtained from this discussion should encourage every government to formulate new policies. This approach will safeguard the health conditions of every citizen³⁰. The establishment of new laws and social welfare programs can encourage more people to achieve the best health outcomes. This approach can produce the best goals and make many communities successful.

Conclusion

Most of the policies and strategies embraced by different municipal governments were ineffective thus affecting the lives of many individuals. However, the emerging conditions and diseases equipped the people with better ideas towards improving the country’s health system. New scientific researches and studies became common because more scholars were working hard to find better treatment regimes for different diseases.

Many American citizens managed to survive despite these challenges encountered in different cities. The Market Revolution was therefore a major historical event that reshaped many things in the United States. The revolution attracted more people into the country. More individuals were migrating from their rural areas to different urban regions.

This new move continued to reshape the living conditions of many people in the cities. The establishment of different Boards of Health in various states across the country was critical towards addressing the health issues affecting the people.

Bibliography

Anbinder, Tyler. “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum.” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 351-387.

Carp, Benjamin. Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Chudacoff , Howard P., and Smith, Judith. The Evolution of American Urban Society. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2005.

Hunter, Tera. “Reconstruction and the Meanings of Freedom.” In To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War, edited by Tera Hunter, 22-43. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997.

Samuel Slater: Father of the American Industrial Revolution. Web.

Stansell, Christine. “Female Work and Poverty.” In City of Women: Sex and Class in New York: 1789-1860, edited by Christine Stansell, 3-18. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986.

Zorn, Roman. “The Working Men’s Parties of 1828-1831.” Arkansas Academy of Science 1(1921): 173-181. 2014.

Footnotes

1. Tyler Anbinder, “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum,” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 367.
2. Tyler Anbinder, “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum,” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 367.
3. Christine Stansell, “Female Work and Poverty,” in City of Women: Sex and Class in New York: 1789-1860, edited by Christine Stansell (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986), 14.
4. Christine Stansell, “Female Work and Poverty,” in City of Women: Sex and Class in New York: 1789-1860, edited by Christine Stansell (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986), 14.
5. Tera Hunter, “Reconstruction and the Meanings of Freedom,” in To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War, edited by Tera Hunter (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 32.
6. Tera Hunter, “Reconstruction and the Meanings of Freedom,” in To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War, edited by Tera Hunter (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 32.
7. Howard P. Chudacoff and Judith Smith, The Evolution of American Urban Society (Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2005), 14.
8. Howard P. Chudacoff and Judith Smith, The Evolution of American Urban Society (Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2005), 14.
9. Benjamin Carp, Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 74.
10. Christine Stansell, “Female Work and Poverty,” in City of Women: Sex and Class in New York: 1789-1860, edited by Christine Stansell (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986), 15.
11. Stansell, “Female Work,” 18.
12. Roman Zorn, “The Working Men’s Parties of 1828-1831,” Arkansas Academy of Science 1(1921): 176.
13. Benjamin Carp, Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 76.
14. Roman Zorn, “The Working Men’s Parties of 1828-1831,” Arkansas Academy of Science 1(1921): 176.
15. Roman Zorn, “The Working Men’s Parties of 1828-1831,” Arkansas Academy of Science 1(1921): 184.
16. Tera Hunter, “Reconstruction and the Meanings of Freedom,” in To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War, edited by Tera Hunter (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 32.
17. Tera Hunter, “Reconstruction and the Meanings of Freedom,” in To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War, edited by Tera Hunter (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 36.
18. Tyler Anbinder, “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum,” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 368.
19. Howard P. Chudacoff and Judith Smith, The Evolution of American Urban Society (Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2005), 17.
20. Samuel Slater: Father of the American Industrial Revolution (accessed November 13, 2014).
21. Benjamin Carp, Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 74.
22. Christine Stansell, “Female Work and Poverty,” in City of Women: Sex and Class in New York: 1789-1860, edited by Christine Stansell (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986), 17.
23. Roman Zorn, “The Working Men’s Parties of 1828-1831,” Arkansas Academy of Science 1(1921): 179.
24. Tyler Anbinder, “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum,” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 368.
25. Tyler Anbinder, “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum,” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 376.
26. Tera Hunter, “Reconstruction and the Meanings of Freedom,” in To ‘Joy My Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors after the Civil War, edited by Tera Hunter (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997), 39.
27. Christine Stansell, “Female Work and Poverty,” in City of Women: Sex and Class in New York: 1789-1860, edited by Christine Stansell (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986), 17.
28. Howard P. Chudacoff and Judith Smith, The Evolution of American Urban Society (Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2005), 17.
29. Tyler Anbinder, “From Famine to Five Points: Lord Lansdowne’s Irish Tenants Encounter North America’s Most Notorious Slum,” American Historical Review 107 (2002): 379.
30. Benjamin Carp, Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 74.