Consumer Society in America

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Consumer Society of America T.H. Breen’s essay clearly points to the driving influence that foreign goods had on all the early American colonies. Through numerous historical examples, we can see that this idea of the first settlers being “self-sufficient” farmers, humbly living off the land with no thought of playing a part in the consumer revolution is unlikely. The settlers came to rely heavily on foreign trade to ensure their families survival and continued wealth and prosperity. Consumer objects had little productive or explicitly practical value; their purpose was more cultural. Imported goods became vital to society by providing them with increasingly recognized ways to distinguish themselves from people living in the lower class. Fashion became a huge part in the increased purchase of goods. Consumers were now becoming victims of manipulative marketing attempts. . Whole pages of newspapers would be taken over by advertisements for the newest things to be bought, and the colonists would bring in extra crops to be able to trade for these item. 1This need to constantly stay up to date with the latest trends and newest products kept the early Americans dependent on British suppliers. Foreign trade was primarily in outgoing raw materials and incoming manufactured goods. This exchange of goods greatly affected the lives of Americans, especially in the upper class. Even the poorer residents of a society would try to keep up an appearance of riches, spending money on many non-essential items. 2Dr. Alexander Hamilton described the northern colonies houses like a museum, with pictures and dishes hung all over the walls. Societies need to show one’s worth through material items helped to keep the foreign trade empire going strong. It seems that early Americans were just as materialistic back then as we are in todays society. Just as people today must have
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