A third option was also available. It was in the hands of those who experienced discrimination and ostracism. The third option was assembling people to take coordinated, collective action that would dismantle God’s plans. Like the Colonists, they could choose to change the world in which they now lived. This meant the formation of labor movements and organizing strikes, which we will see did occur for a short period of time in Lowell, Massachusetts. This also meant entry into the political world of New Britain. Collective Worth was established for some Americans by taking collective action. The Worth of Collective, Reforming Action was to be established in opposition to the Worth of Order. These opposing perspectives on Worth still exist in American society.
This notion that Worth could be found in political action would easily be established in an orderly Calvinist America. Actually, Action-based Worth only came to fruition with the emergence of an Irish Catholic senator (and later American president) – John Kennedy. He was joined by two of the other Kennedy brothers as political leaders in New Britain and the United States. One of the most intriguing political battles in Massachusetts pitted a representative of Boston’s upper Brahmin class (George Lodge) against the youngest of the Kennedy brothers (Ted) in his first venture into the political ring. The Irish Catholic Kennedy won the election. Only then did New England truly become New Britain (Ireland joining England and Scotland).
Industrialization
This third feature of the New England culture is closely aligned with the second feature. The wealth of the Boston Brahmins, building on the God-given justification for raw capitalism, was engaged in building major industries. The original reliance on a diversified economy (including maritime and natural resource enterprises) gave way to a focus on industrial production. Food was now going to be raised primarily in regions of the country other than New England. The forests of New England were being decimated by heavy logging and unregulated fires. Logging slowly declined as a major source of production and profits.
The mills stood at the heart of the growing New England economy. And the Mill Girls played a major role in helping these mills operate and turn a large profit (for at least a few years). Worth was aligned with human industry rather than the “gifts” granted by Mother Nature (or an environmentally oriented God). Mill owners were the most “worth” recipients of God’s grace (not prosperous fishermen or loggers). Successful human industry still trumps successful extraction of natural resources in our social hierarchy.
With industrialization came a reinforcement of the existing social order and increasing attempts to justify unsafe and alienating working conditions by the Boston Brahmins. In response, collective action also became more prevalent, though these worker-led strikes were usually unsuccessful. There was also the entry of newcomers into the political arena. Second-generation Irish politicians, such as James Curley in Boston, were assuming major leadership roles in Northeastern American cities. The promise of upward mobility for the working class was now also extended to those willing to obtain an education. The general public’s access to education was emerging.
