The many social and economic changes that took place in America between 1812 and the 1860s were known under the blanket term called the Market Revolution, and these innovations promoted change in urban and market development (Schultz, 2010). Many driving forces worked in conjunction behind the change.
First, commercial agriculture changed how farmers grew their crops (Schultz, 2010). Instead of a farming family producing a variety of crops for their own consumption, farmers began focusing on one or two staple crops that would thrive in their specific region. Therefore, a declining agricultural workforce presented opportunities for individuals to make a living in other professions such as factory workers, lawyers, and different scholarly positions.