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Leo Marx, The Machine
Marx sees the future and how manufacturing can benefit America in the long run, and obviously he was right to go against Jefferson on this idea. The debate between manufacturing and agriculture during this time really seemed to come almost entirely between North and South. Of course a Philadelphian man would be interested in manufacturing, just like a Virginian would be interested in agriculture. - Oliver M
I agree with L. Marx’s analysis of Jefferson’s and Coxe’s views on technology and manufacturing. I think that Marx presents a substantial argument by explaining Jefferson’s attitude through “economic realities,” since the rural character of the colonies combined with Jefferson’s republican agrarianism offers a strong explanation for his ideas. - Nikolai Kotkov
Marx is very keen to analyze Coxe’s motives, which can be understandable given Coxe’s unique way of blending nationalism and hardline rural ideology into one. - CJ Nemetz
I thought it was interesting on how even at the beginning Marx knew that manufacturing would disrupt the “garden” of nature and what was seen as peaceful. And looking at today, yes, manufacturing has made an immense impact on the way we live and interact with the things around us. Though it has also greatly impacted further of just the people of America but the health of the earth through global warming, green houses gasses, etc. Which was not a prevalent topic at that time. - Izzy Ellenberger
Marx makes an interesting comparison at the end of the articles between Coxe and Hamilton and from my interpretation asserts that they both agree that technology will lead to tremendous economic benefits for the United States but there are different ways of approaching that and marketing it to the American people that will better set that system up for the future. It’s interesting to see technology not only having an impact culturally but possibly socially and politically, as well. - Grayson Donohoe
Marx seems to play into Coxe's clear excitement over the economic prospect of American industry (or future industry) obtaining “machines of fire or water”. There is emphasis placed here on the potential for economic growth and a widespread industrialization (before the term exists) that would possibly even take over America in a way that would horrify Jefferson. - Abby Firestone
Overall, Marx's analysis of Jefferson and Coxe was fair and full of perspective. Jefferson wasn't “wrong” for arguing against manufacturing in America and it's very plain why, he processed this stance from the perspective that agriculture worked just fine in the colonies while Coxe displayed the economic boom that manufacturing would implore. Coxe was not the only American drawn to the possibility and Marx reflects on that perspective as well. - Izabella Martinez