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====== Readings from Pursell ======
This essay reminded me of my thoughts towards the technology time line article from last week. In my response I discussed how I never really viewed objects like “pencils” as technology. McGAw points out that we tend to “limit the definition of technology to those things which characterize the technology of our own time (22).” That is exactly what I did when discussing the pencil. It is an interesting concept to learn about these technology advancements that were a huge deal in the past because we leave in such a fast pace world that pushes forward to the next best thing of the future. Reading this essay really made me stop and try to imagine being a frontiersmen or a farmer exposed to pots, churns, stills, plows, herds of cattle etc. (22) and thinking “wow, this is the next big thing.” These items are common to us now but at one point they changed everything. -Kelsey Dean
==== Judith McGaw, "So Much Depends..." ====
 
I found McGaw's definition of technology to be very interesting. McGaw points out that "agricultural technology includes far more than machines, implements, and the knowledge of how to use them" (Pursell, 22). McGaw then went on to explain how technology in regards to this specific period should include knowledge of plant and animal behavior, as well as the "procedures devised for storing crops and housing livestock" (Pursell, 22). Technology, as we have already been learning in class, is much more than our phones or our computers. It's definition, in the broadest terms, encompasses a lot. McGaw's argument highlights just how far the definition of technology, and the importance of various technologies, can reach. It begs the question as to why we no longer consider many of these things to be technology today. - Shannon K.

I also found McGaw's widened definition of technology interesting. When she discussed how previous accounts and discussions revolving around colonial farming typically discount the technology as "primitive" and without "technological change," I was reminded of an idea that I had come across in a reading for another class (22). In that reading, Plato discusses what he calls the "new technology" of writing. The idea that back in ancient Greece, people thought of writing as a kind of technology fits in with McGaw's argument that we should resist defining the technology of past ages through the narrower lens of the age in which are currently. - Megan P.

I thought that McGaw's research on the different counties within Pennsylvania was very interesting in that each city handled technology slightly differently. I thought that it was very interesting that in every document that he looked at, people owned slightly different things that would all still accomplish a task but in a different way. This was especially true when it came to cooking. While there were stoves in the 18th century, most of the women preferred to do the cooking the way that it always had been done for fear that it would alter the meal and they would have to learn a new task (Pursell, 28). It was interesting to me that even though the technology was available to these people that sometimes they would still prefer to do it as they had always done, because as McGaw says "there is no "one best way to farm" (Pursell, 30). I also liked the way that she explained, as we have learned in class, that technology can include a variety of things and that we should not limit ourselves to only consider technology machines. - Emma Baumgardner

When I read this chapter, I agreed with McGraw that are different ways in which we can view technology, especially agricultural technology. I like that she discusses that society as a whole doesn't always need to own all the popular technology that is being offered at the time. She explains that "there was no standard array of household and farm utensils that virtually all colonists owned or needed to own". (Pursell, 22). People were able to survive without kettles, firearms and plows. (Pursell, 22). It's perfectly acceptable to access different technology and not use "the best technology" at a given point in time. I also liked how she gave examples of technological innovations in different part of the United States. - Rachel Kosmacki

After reading the information in the chapter, I completely agree with McGraw on technology can be used in so many way and how it change sociality. From what she says about agricultural technology, is its what seeded the growth for modern culture. she also discusses that society as a whole doesn't always need to own all the popular technology that is being offered at the time. I also liked the way that she explained that technology can include a variety of things and that we should not limit ourselves to only consider technology machines. - Daryl Murray

“… early Americans were far more likely to own guns than to possess that other icon of early American life – the Bible…” (McGaw, 14). In class Tuesday, I thought it was interesting how guns were not as popular during the colonial era as once believed. This quote also intrigued me because in historical novels and some history books, early Americans are depicted as gun wielding, bible loving, frontiersmen and the inventories show us the complete opposite from this belief. - Jessie Cavolt

I liked how McGaw defined technology in 18th and 19th century terms before getting into the analysis. It was amazing how open the definition was on page 22 of Pursell. I also really liked how McGaw took into account the cultural aspects of technology and its evolution during this time period. I never knew that the Germans had such an affect on technology in the mid-atlantic region. - Heidi Schmidt

==== American Colonial Wealth ====

====== Readings from Smith and Clancey ======
==== Debate over Manufacturing in the Early Republic (Jefferson, Coxe, Hamilton, Cooper) ====

At first, Jefferson was vehemently opposed to establishing large scale factories because he favored agriculture. Jefferson believed farming was the backbone of American economy, not sinking down to the barbaric practices of Europe. Jefferson proposed that large scale factories would endanger the republic fabric of the nation. However, Coxe, refuted Jefferson's arguement. He proposed that machines would bring "immense assistance." (107) Machines would take less time producing items than typical artisans. Hamilton expands on Coxe's point about reduced production time by arguing that machines lessened the necessity of labor. (111) Cooper, a Southerner, opposes machinery because manufacturing expansion would bring social issues as well. He believes that the Europeans have become immoral because of their focus on manufacturing and big cities. Instead, Cooper stresses that America is different from Europe and morally superior. 
 --- //[[ejames@umw.edu|James, Emily B.]] 2017/01/25 12:43//

When first hearing Jeffersons argument for keeping America mainly an agricultural society, it is extremely compelling. He wants to stay true to what America was at the time and less like the European society they so brutally fought against. But as pointed out through the arguments of his correspondents, being an agricultural society made America dependent on Europe for the items they did not have. Dishes, pots and pans, decorum, and many other household items would have to be imported to the states due to the lack of “factories” to make them. Though Jefferson wants to keep America unique and different from Europe, he couldn’t stop the evolution and progression of the states and the technology they needed. --- //[[abrooks6@umw.edu|Brooks Anna R.]] 2017/01/25 14:22//

I never realized that our founding fathers were at odds about the direction our nation should take, whether agrarian or industrial. Thomas Jefferson represents those who strive for an Agrarian, self sufficient society in his article "Notes on Virginia". Jefferson makes a passionate plea that "those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God" and goes as far to point out that corruption is the product of mass industry (Smith and Clancey 105). On the other hand, Alexander Hamilton appears far more concerned with the financial success of the United States in his "Report on Manufactures". He even takes a jab at the "Jeffersonian" ideal of a mainly agrarian society when he comments "there seems to be a moral certainty, that the trade of a country which is both manufacturing and Agricultural will be more lucrative and prosperous than that of a Country, which is merely Agricultural"(Smith and Clancey 112). The need to pay off debts and assert the US as a powerful nation beat out Jefferson's humble aspirations for a quiet agrarian nation of morally conscious farmers, but at what cost? How would our nation be different today if we had remained an agrarian society and ignored the temptations to industrialize? 
-Heather Taylor

It was interesting seeing the forming argument between Britain and America over the economic fallout that would occur due to the strict policies Britain would possibly enforce against America if they happened to win their political independence. Bringing the American Revolution into perspective and seeing that their political independence would not bring complete independence, including economic independence changes the effectiveness of the war in my mind. The quote that stuck with me and basically stated that economic dependence on Britain would remain an issue regardless of the war's outcome was: "No matter how oppressive a policy the British followed...there was no danger of provoking serious competition from America," (Smith and Clancey 121). Britain did not make it easy for America to win, and wanted to ensure to the world that they still had power over them by flaunting incoming policies to make it difficult for them to develop a worldly economy.  --- //[[kmcgowan@umw.edu|McGowan, Khayla J.]] 2017/01/25 18:28//

Seeing the arguments of the paths our country could have taken at the time is very unique. It is understandable why Thomas Jefferson did not want to follow in the footsteps of the country they just left and stay true to the America he knew. He never wanted to see his people "occupied at a work bench or twirling a distaff." (Smith and Clancey 105) Jefferson desperately wanted to "keep the factories in Europe." (Smith and Clancey 106) In response, Coxe argues that the factories would "multiply the force of hands to a great extent without taking our people from agriculture." These arguments remind me of our debates today. There are always people who fear new ways of doing things or technological advancement; that think the old way of doing things is better. - Madison White

I found it interesting that Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declaration of Independence, was originally for keeping manufacturing in Britain. He wanted to keep America agricultural because it there was "an immensity of land courting the industry of the husbandman." (Smith and Clancey 105). He stated that Britain has resorted to manufacturing because that is the best they can do with what they're given. America, on the other hand, has a vast amount of natural resources that can be maximized. I think that Coxe's point is most compelling because he addresses how manufacturing in the states can help relieve the reliance that America has on Britain's manufactured goods. He also addresses his counterarguments by talking about the fears people have regarding switching from a mainly agricultural to a manufacturer society. Using machines to help laborious work become easier will ultimately benefit America in the long run. - Nicole Spreeman
==== Leo Marx, The Machine ====

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