These corporations dominated American business and defined the American culture. The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, was used to describe the conditions within the United States during this time. The nation was “lined with gold”, but had many struggles and obstacles that spread through the social, political, and economic aspects of the United States. These big businesses initiated many transformations within the United States and set the foundation for America becoming the world’s greatest industrial nation.
In the time period between 1870 and 1900, corporations used their influence and power to control and transform both the economic and political systems of the United States. In response, Americans organized and implemented changes within the society to counteract the detrimental effects of these massive monopolies. During this era, the government practiced laissez-faire, an ideology that called for minimal government regulation of economic affairs. The government did not interfere with these monopolies and their negative impact on the economy.
The railroads were viewed as one of the largest monopolies during this time. The railroad corporations could lower wages, provide bad working conditions, and fire workers without justification. When the government did take action in these affairs, they usually favored the corrupt corporations. The railroads were able to control everything from its workers to the costs of food and fuel. (Doc. B) Rockefeller was able to form a monopoly by using horizontal integration, the merger of competitors in the same industry.
The Essay on The US Federal Government and state governments
The government of the United States is constantly changing. From the moment the country was born until today, there have been many eras and concepts that have transpired over the years. The United States federal government and state and local governments have gone through periods for transition from 1781 to the present day in which their relationships where continuously changing. In order to ...
In doing this, he demolished all competition and sabotaged small businesses. In Document H, George Rice poignantly describes how Rockefeller’s immense oil monopoly, led to the demise of his own oil business, Ohio Oil Workers. (Document H) During this time period monopolies such as , Rockefeller’s Oil monopoly and Carnegie’s Steele monopoly, were able to flourish and gain economic control over the United States. These corporations dominated almost all aspects of their industries. Much of the public saw these men as robber barons who exploited workers in order to make mass fortunes.
Politically, during this time the chain of presidents from 1877-1897 lacked luster. Starting with Rutherford Hayes, and ending with Grover Cleveland, these presidents, under the theory of laissez-faire, allowed several robber barons to gain political power. These robber barons dominated the government, and controlled the Senate, therefore it became known as the Billion Dollar Congress. However, efforts were made to limit the power of these monopolies with the passing of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, that stated that monopolies and trusts were illegal.
Although not all robber barons took advantage of their power, Andrew Carnegie was a philanthropist, who believed that, “in his judgement, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community- the man of wealth thus becoming the mere agent and trustee for his poorer brethren, bringing to service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves. ” Carnegie was a believer in Social Darwinism and the Gospel of Wealth, which led him to donate millions of dollars to the creation of colleges, libraries, and other buildings. Doc. E) Throughout this timer period corporations were able to undermine and exploit the political power of the government. Between the years 1870-1900, Americans began to respond to the effects fostered by these corporations. From urban factory workers to rural farmers, Americans began to organize against these big businesses. With mass industrialization, more job’s were made available to women, these jobs were often in factories with terrible conditions, sweatshops. There was a sameness about working in mass production factories.
The Essay on The strengths and weaknesses of the American Political system
Identify and comment on what you see to be the strengths and/or weaknesses of the American system as far as the topics in this section are concerned. The constitutional system of the United States is a puzzling aspect of an American's life. Many do not understand. Some think they understand it and with their slight grasp of it they try to offer solutions to better it. I would like to offer a ...
Thus, working in these modern mass production factories created a homogenous environment that diminished individualism and the need for skilled workers. (Doc. C) Strikers were common during this era, workers participated in strikes and joined labor unions, such as The American Federation of Labor and the Knights of Labor, due to the terrible working conditions. The American Federation of Labor, headed by Samuel Gompers, was specifically for skilled workers and argued for better wages and a reduction in working hours. (Doc. G) Although urban workers were greatly impacted by the growth of these corporations, they were not the ones.
Farmers, suffered extensive discontent with the prosper of the monopolies. The Grange Movement led by Oliver Kelley, later developed into the 3rd political party, the Populist Party. This party argued for free coinage of silver, abolition of national banks, a graduated income tax, government ownership of all forms of transportation and communication, and election of Senators by direct vote of the people. (Doc. F) The impacts of these big corporations effected Americans from every social ranking. Subsequent to the rise of corporations, the entire American economy was dramatically transformed.
In the post Civil War period, there was much political and economic instability. The economy began to consolidate, and the quality of life began to increase. With new innovations, the costs for food, mining, fuel, and living all reduced. (Doc. A) However many still believed, that corporations were corruptive and abusive. The rise of corporations brought both good and bad, economic and political effects on American Society. These corporations were prevalent in the development of economic, technological, ideological, and political changes and innovations.
The Essay on Hard Work: Remaking the American Labor Movement By Rick Fantasia and Kim Voss
Hard Work: Remaking the American Labor Movement, by Rick Fantasia and Kim Voss, was published by the University of California Press in 2004. It runs to 259 pages. This book deals with the failures of the American Labor Movement to keep pace with the needs of American workers. It explains how the movement failed when it seemed like it was on the road to success and why it is in the lethargic state ...
