Analyze the impact of mechanization and the market revolution (1815–1860) on American workers in the Northeast.

Between 1815 and 1860, the progression of mechanization and the revolutionizing of the economic market caused the United States to experience drastic societal development. These advancements in American technology allowed society to further collaborate in order to create a complex system of trade that began regional specialization within the workforce. Advanced methodologies of efficient mass production, in factories especially, shaped the lifestyles of citizens living in the Northeastern region of the United States. As production shifted completely in order to serve the extensively growing nation, many benefits and hardships were to be reaped. Under-represented citizens, such as women, were able to gain opportunities in big businesses searching for low-priced labor. This also allowed African Americans to gain more civil rights due to reduced popularity of slavery as Caucasian workers wanted to avoid competition for employment. However, independent merchants faced monopolized competition that exposed employees to horrific conditions. Ultimately, new techniques to enhance inexpensive, timely production and the supplying of goods created hierarchies, both socially and financially, that dictated new matters of freedom and reliance for American citizens in the Northeast. 

As manufacturing became more prominent in America, the country became much more self-reliant. In the Northeastern region, cities like New York quickly emerged and thrived by hosting large factories. These factories provided the ability to quickly produce materials that were needed among the states. Efficiency and capability became increasingly prevalent for American entrepreneurships so that quantities of products could be easy attained without the importation from foreign nations. Vast amounts of materials were able to be processed in small, compact spaces. With production occurring primarily within the Northeast, the area became a very strong international trade hub. Quickly the United States gained a city, New York, which had the same potential and rank as Rome or Paris. The region developed to be much more cultured and iconic for the United States, which gave citizens a more sophisticated and elite persona. The city lifestyle raised levels of intellectual stability and created a center for the young country. Bankers became more prominent because of the stimulation and need to monitor the expanding economy, reflecting the development of new careers in general to keep up with the pace of the industrialized society. As the market in America became stronger, the Northeast served as a center of big business and international relations. 

Factories began monopolies within the American manufacturing market. Since mass amounts of products would easily be produced in one location, large corporations formed and began to dominate the market. Machinery contributed to the effectiveness of production, furthering the control wealthy companies could hold. Independent merchants were much less likely to hold a stand in producing the same quantity of goods. Due to the more individualized creation, prices were much higher, which made them undesirable to the masses. This served to commercialize industries in America as it became easier and inexpensive to get lower quality, mass produced products. Transportation exceeded in importance to deliver products throughout the states. They were able to provide products to the entire nation, with little expense. As a result, the owners of such production businesses thrived. This created greater social divides between successful businessmen and the average industry worker. The playing field lost its sense of equal status that existed when the colonies originally formed. Some citizens now were able to make plentiful livings rather than beginning together at the bottom of the social ladder. Choice of endeavors became crucial in determining the fate of Americans, though the competition was fierce to attempt to break through. 

While dependence on an international level declined, within the nation it rose. Citizens started to become reliant on corporations for products and for employment. Within Northeastern cities, the most likely jobs to hold had to do with the factories. In some ways, this seemed like a wonderful opportunity for Americans. There were many factories that provided a surplus of jobs. Businesses accepted the work of nearly anyone, making it more likely for women and children to join the labor force. In a sense, it could be said that this made a huge stride for women’s rights by allowing them to earn their own wage and gain independence from a male counterpart. It also relieved pressure for African Americans in the Northeast. Since so many people were after jobs, no one wanted to have to compete with the inexpensive work that slaves could provide. As a result, slavery was generally unsupported in the Northeast, giving African Americans their first chance at more equal rights. However, these jobs also created great lengths of abuse from employers. There was no true monitoring of the factories, which allowed big business owners to get away with poor work conditions and low salaries. In order to feel capable in society or make enough finances to live, employees went along with mistreatment. In the Northeast, employment was fairly plentiful, yet left many to endure abuse simply due to the lack of options. 

Overall, the Northeastern region of the United States experienced many of the most noticeable effects from mechanization and the market revolution. The early to mid-1800’s proved to be a breaking point that launched giant strides of progression for the American economy. While the Northeast could not have done it without the Southern and Western regions of the country, it very easily could be considered to be the center of the American economic action. Not everything ended up as intended, nor was everything beneficial to American society. Some things, such as the hierarchies, still prove to be national conflicts that are still faced today. However, the impacts that this phase of industrialization had on the Northeast and the future of the United States are extraordinary. In this region, the financial elements blossomed, the entire stock market began to form, and civil rights truly began to take shape. Many conflicts were faced that have led the nation to develop into a stronger force and increase unity. Greed and ambition were truly sparked among Americans to change the ideal American Dream from focusing on freedom to focusing on wealth and success. Without the impact of mechanization and the market revolution, the United States would lack its greatest economical center, as well as much of its Northeastern culture.