The Old Dominion and the Developing Nation: The Gallego Mills, Republicanism, and the Evolving Economy of the Early Republic

Abstract

This capstone project examines antebellum Virginia society within a national context. During the 1830s sectional differences over slavery had not risen to a level to hinder the development of economic institutions that would govern the nation’s economic development. The evolution of Revolutionary republicanism occurred throughout the nation and provided common assumptions and rhetoric. This shows a national attitude toward economic development in the North and South as they used republican language to support and oppose commercial regulations and the organization of individual businesses. The analysis of legislative debates, government records, newspapers, and commercial and agricultural journals provides a window to interpret the views and attitudes of the Virginia’s citizens and compare those with historians’ interpretations of Northern economic development during the early nineteenth century. Using the Gallego Mills of Richmond, Virginia as a case study this capstone will explain how the debates in Virginia’s General Assembly over flour inspection laws and acts of incorporation mirrored those that were occurring in Northern states. Because slavery did not influence these debates, states in the North and South shared similar attitudes and developed similar responses to the challenges presented by the evolving economy. Key elements of modern capitalism including the corporation and government regulation emerged out of these debates and show the continuing influence of republicanism on American society.