Essay - Thanks to the Bold Work of the Federalist Papers, the...

Thanks to the bold work of the Federalist Papers, the US Constitution was ratified in the late 1780's by the original 13 states. But this new nation would experience a myriad ***** other changes by the turn of ***** century. With a ***** politic*****l system, westward expansionism and manifest destiny would guide the new American spirit. Of the most significant transformations on ***** American l*****scape of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were the parallel phenomena ***** the Industrial Revolution ***** the Second Great Awakening. One an unbridled attempt ***** exp*****d the material world, the other a f*****natical endeavor to revive religious sentiment, these movements ***** uniquely positioned in time. They would also pull the ***** psyche in two opposing directions.

The ***** Great Awakening was a never-before seen Protest*****nt revival movement that swept through the new nation. Preachers sought converts and converts sought church membership in record numbers. On the o*****r side of the equation, entrepreneurs, inventors, and businessmen experienced a revival of their own. New technologies were introducing themselves at an alarming rate.

Not all Americ*****s were pleased with the ***** besetting the American lifestyle. Christian evangelists foresaw a "long, immor*****l road towards ***** fire and brimstone of eternal damnation." Yet people like Samuel S*****r, inventor and businessman, had a more optimistic outlook. While it may be tempting to sympathize ***** people like Charles Finney in light of some of the environmental problems we experience *****day, I side clearly w*****h Samuel Slater and o*****rs like him who were more realistic ***** less religious.

***** Slater initiated a mechanical leap forward in the New World by construct*****g a textile mill in the l*****te 1700s. His business model in itself was revolutionary; he would offer employees company housing and a way of life previously un*****ard of. These ***** industries provided jobs to families and raised the standards of living. Where people were once self-sufficient farmers, they were now working on credit, for money that they would later exchange for food ***** once grew ***** and luxury items that previously never existed. This new type of economy was dramatically transforming ***** in the New World by allowing individuals to start ***** *****es. Just ***** *****, ***** believe that these changes promoted prosperity among the general populace. But ********** views ***** not shared ***** all Americans.

***** men ***** preachers like Charles ***** only envisioned the disastrous effects industrialization could have on a society. M*****ny of Finney's beliefs were based on superstiti***** and melodrama, but there were some tangible, visible proofs for his theories. For instance, factory conditions were not favourable to workers ***** in fact, were extremely unhealthy and hazardous. Children were probably forced to work. But it is ***** *****ly ***** people like F*****ney saw only negativ*****y where there was immense potential for positive development. There has never been a utopian society and likely never will be. As human beings, especi*****y ***** beings in an emerging democracy, the best we can do is good enough. Industry ***** economic development