How did changes in business practices make American society more “commercial” in the first hal
This course has argued that the United States, during the half-century after the founding, from roughly 1790 to 1840, can be described as a “Commercial Republic.”
How did changes in business practices make American society more “commercial” in the first half of the 19th century than it had been during the colonial period?
To answer this question, you should make sure to explain how you understand the term “commercial” and the different ways we can analyze the “commercial” nature of a society. In other words, make sure to explain specific connections between business practices and society, broadly defined.
Your essay should be 3 to 4 pages long, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman Font, with 1-inch margins on all sides. No extra credit will be given for longer papers—part of the challenge of this exam is to be concise and clear. You will be graded on the clarity of your writing and the strength of your historical analysis, not on your ability to flood the zone with lots of words.
