"Shopkeepers Millenium"

As a fledgling city, Rochester NY experienced many problems during this period of growth, similar to that of the Republic during this era. Problems arose in Rochester due to reorganization of the social order as well as the search for an effective system of government. Many of these social and political problems were responsible for widespread public disorder and political paralysis which plagued this city during the 1820’s. Although the city faced numerous challenges, the relentless efforts of evangelical Protestants and the Revival movement can be seen in the missions and sermons they gave. They presented several solutions to these problems and in some cases, they were extremely effective.
One of the major problems the citizens of Rochester experienced throughout the 1820’s was alcohol. When the economy of America saw a shift out of the household, this had a profound impact on the traditional social order which it had sustained. This shuffling of the social order yielded a ...