Big Business Dbq Essay

Although some of these criticisms are well founded, men like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were, in fact, Captains of Industry because they employed millions and created new ways of doing business. Before all these industrialists can along, America was just another country that had little significance to the world. If it was not for them, we as a nation would not be where we are today. The industrialists prospered mainly due to their wit, and the many innovations that they brought to their various fields of business. They created monopolies because they were the most effective forms of enterprise, and there were no laws that prohibited or restricted their use. As John D. Rockefeller himself said, "I believe in the spirit of combination and cooperation when properly conducted….It helps to reduce waste, and waste is a dissipation of power."(Danzer 424) Critics say that these men ruthlessly took over their fields of business, and "did not play fair". What's wrong with striving for success? What's wrong with being efficient? What's wrong with making a product that no one can equal? What's wrong with besting your competitors? Nothing.

After the end of the Civil War, industrialization and urbanization blossomed and changed the nation. Instead of presidential power, men were aiming to be industrial tycoons for their wealth and power. To the people, these capitalists were regarded as either admirable “captains of industry” or corrupt “robber barons”. Even though to some people they may seem like “captains of industry”, but they were actually corrupt “robber barons” for several reasons regarding corruption, employee issues, and matters of the social classes.

Throughout history, there have been many problems present in the American life. In the time period between the 1800s to the 1900s, there were many problems such as, poor living and working conditions and powerful monopolies. Many reforms were proposed in order to solve these problems. The grisly living and working conditions, along with overpowered monopolies, were both addressed with reforms.

As the age of Reconstruction ended, the Gilded Age of big businesses began in the United States and with it came new jobs and goods for Americans. When new corporations became more successful, it made an immense impact on the economy, the political system and the lives of citizens. Economically, the cost of food and living went down significantly as well as a surplus of jobs. Political leaders were corrupted by big business as their decisions and laws were influenced by the wealthy class’ bribes and stealing from the common man. Though mass production allowed goods to be made quicker and in greater quantity, the workers’ horrible working conditions and remarkably long hours caused the creation of unions and strikes. Despite the great effect big business had on the economy in the Gilded Age through the decline in the cost of food and fuel, the daily lives of average working-class citizens were negatively impacted by long hours, horrid working conditions leading to unions and a corrupted political system.

Big business had a huge impact on US economy, politics, and society between 1870 and 1900. Rich monopolists did so by taking control of the government and by mistreating those who worked for them. Many advances in technology helped big business gain power during this era. Thomas Edison contributed to many of these advances, one of which was the light bulb - which sparked a new age of electrical innovations. This replaced the use candles and kerosene lamps due to the light bulb being much more efficient.

Evaluate the economic and political impact of big business on the United States in the period from 1870 to 1900.

Rockefeller was a great Captain Of Industry; he reshaped and converted the oil industry and became a philanthropist. Rockefeller grew up in an above average home with his Mother and Father. “After being graduated from High School in 1855, the family sent him to a Cleveland Business School.” (The New Tycoons: John D. Rockefeller) Rockefeller’s parent’s support as a young man was a great contribution to his success. Many people argue that Rockefeller didn’t deserve his great accomplishments, but just as many other successful people; he too worked very hard for his achievements. “Young John Rockefeller entered the workforce on the bottom rung of the ladder as a clerk in a Cleveland shipping firm” (The New Tycoons; John D. Rockefeller). Rockefeller went from being a clerk in a small firm to building up one of the greatest and largest industries in the U.S. As products such as automobiles were becoming more popular, the demand for oil grew. John D. Rockefeller was also known for being a Philanthropist, Rockefeller wrote one of his partners, “let the good work go on. We must ever remember we are refining oil for the poor man and he must have it cheap and good” (Folsom, John D. Rockefeller and the Oil Industry) Rockefeller knew that there was a need for oil, he gave the best oil he could at the lowest price, his customers were his main priority and they were in his best interest. Not only did Rockefeller support fellow Americans while he was alive, he also did after

During the Gilded Age, America experienced massive immigration and impressive economic growth, largely due to new inventions and industrial improvements. Population growth, the expansion of railroads, entrepreneurs and the ability to create national markets all contributed to the unprecedented economic growth. Only a select few, however, would benefit from the economic growth in America. The failure of the Federal Government to address important issues of the time, both social and economic, caused widespread poverty throughout the nation.

Near the end of the 20th century, America was changed due to the growth of big businesses and their influence on the nation which include, a modification to the economy due to an increase in labor demand and the shift in power in politics, specifically the senate.The American people had both positive and negative points of view on this sudden shift of power to big businesses. During this time period, the Farmers Alliance helped voice complaints of these big businesses and improved innovations such as agricultural inventions and electrical lightning increased the need for workers.

Between the 1870'S to the 1900’S the rise of big corporations whom had a lot of control over politics and the economy, increased. In determining the full impact of corporations in America, a person must asset to the extent some went to achieve richness and have such a big influence in the government as well as the economy. Politically the corporations had control over what was said in the government, economically the corporations took advantage of the poor factory workers, and farmers , by lowering wages and raising prices to export crops. Corporations began to ignite political, and economic issues in post industrial america.

During the period of the Civil War, the typical American business was a small, family owned company and it usually produced goods for a smaller, regional market. However, as the Civil War ended, big businesses began to dominate the corporate world. Many businesses, such as the Standard Oil Co. and Carnegie Steel, became monopolies and owned all parts of one particular industry. These huge firms were able to mass produce their products and sell them not only all over the country, but also internationally. Due to the huge transformation in the business world, the economy and politics were affected as well as the American people and unfortunately, these affects turned out to be more negative

The United States has come to be known as a major world superpower throughout history. One of the main parts of America that has contributed to its renowned strength has been its economy. The United State’s economy has been growing ever since it began. Credit for its strength and progress in development can be attributed to the financial geniuses of their time. John D. Rockefeller became an economical giant during his time when he changed the face of business by developing ground-breaking new strategies to ensure financial success. Rockefeller dramatically changed the business field during The Gilded Age. He did so through the use of his social Darwinistic philosophy of capitalism, inclusion of vertical and horizontal integration,

Rockefeller’s actions created a monopoly. A monopoly is when someone owns most or all of the company or business empire so that no one other person can control it. Rockefeller did this by buying up all of the supplies to make oil barrels so that his competitors were not able to transport

“As the growth of industrial development increased so did the accumulation of massive industries and corporations”. This had changed The United States of America into being urbanized instead of being a rural area. Then many businessmen like Andrew Carnegie, John D Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt had big industrial tycoons which had a massive benefit for them and for their society because they had an increase in mass production which ultimately changed the face of the United States of America from being a rural society into being an urban society.

The major problem with the oil business was that there was not a good use for it. Automobiles were not invented yet, and other uses were seen as luxury items. Rockefellers keen insight told him that the streets of Ohio were missing something, Lights. The streets and homes were dark at night not allowing any work to happen. So, Rockefeller realized that the very refined