Big Businesses And The Gilded Age

In the Gilded Age, big business controlled most aspects of everyday life. As the United States was amid a time of economic growth, big business was growing as well-- contributing to that economic growth, all the while, gaining control and dominance across the nation. With such an influencing power, big business cared less to think about anyone else other than themselves. Due to this corrupt possession of power big business possessed, legislation was passed in their favor with the government wrapped around their fingers. The economy, politics and the lives of most Americans were affected negatively when big business reigned supreme.

The late 19th century and early 20th century, dubbed the Gilded Age by writer Mark Twain, was a time of great growth and change in every aspect of the United States, and even more so for big business. It was this age that gave birth to many of the important modern business practices we take for granted today, and those in charge of business at the time were considered revolutionaries, whether it was for the good of the people or the good of themselves.

From 1870 to 1900 era was called the Gilded Age, a time of immense growth in the United States in transportation, especially in railroads, American workers were paid higher wages than their peers in Europe. In this thirty year span the United States saw twelve million immigrants pass through her golden doors, 70% of these immigrants were English, Irish, and German. Crop failures (potato famine in Ireland), job shortages, and religious freedom were the motivations behind many immigrating to America. Newly arrived immigrants faced a harsh reality in America, employers took advantage of them, the men were often paid less than other native born men and the women were paid even less. Immigrants suffered verbal and physical abuse from employers and other employees because they were different. While researching my Italian heritage I learned that Italians, especially southern Italians were not treated well because they were hired as strikebreakers or scabs by mining and railroading companies. They were called derogatory names such as "dagoes or guineas". Newspapers of the time said the southern Italians were "intellectually inferior and having criminal tendencies" (Laura Teddy Turner, Demand Media n.d.) http://www.emmigration.info/us-immigration-tv

The post-Civil War, also known as the extended period that came to be known as the Gilded Age, was largely centered around and influenced by big business and corporations. The newfound efficiency of resources and mass production resulted in a wide variety of available products but also a wide divide between classes and a misdistribution of power that led to the forming of unions and passing of anti-trust legislation. Big business employed money and power to control and manipulate the economy and politics to their own advantage through dishonest means and exploitation of poor immigrants. Americans such as Samuel Gompers worked on the creation of different labor unions to protect the common people and authors such as Jacob Riis and Stephen

America’s industrial growth during the period from 1870 to 1900 was greatly impacted by growth of large corporations that affected the economics and politics of our nation. As corporations began to grow, so did their power and influence. Their numbers grew to be so significant that they were known to be one of the major forces within the United States, with both a great amount of power and the ability to control much within the United States. Their power and influence expanded and impacted the economic and political aspects of our nation. These corporations dominated American business and defined the American culture. The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark

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.

The Gilded Age was a time in American history, from the 1870s to the 1890s, which ostensibly characterized the country based on its economic and technological advancements. However this era’s development served as a mere facade for the corruption and classism which occurred during the time. From economic manipulation to immorality in politics, the Gilded Age is best characterized by the unscrupulous nature of individuals who sought to attain superficial success.

Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan all have something in common they’re well known for being wealthy businessmen in the late 19th century. Robber Barons and Captain of Industry are mostly known from the Gilded Age. Mark Twain called the late 19th century the “Gilded Age” because he was referring to this period being glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath (Overview of the Gilded Age, Digital History). Most of the businessmen during this day in time just wanted to help themselves and their businesses, which you could compare to today. However, these historical figures established a foundation for industrial advances, business development and technological advances in America today.

Following the finish of the American Civil War, the period known as the Gilded Age emerged. During this period, industrialism increased rapidly as well as the amount of cities. However, with a growth of industries and cities, corruption and complications would also follow. Since businesses were booming and the economy was improving, the United States’ Presidents of this time period, such as Hayes, Garfield, and Cleveland, granted businesses large amounts of power in hopes of continuing the success of the nation. The wealthy business men were given favorable tax rates and free land, as well as a free range of power. These big businesses greatly impacted the economy by controlling the flow of production along with the wealth of the people, as well as politics through achieving an unlawful amount of power and corrupting the government, which led to the opposition of the American people and fabrication of labor unions and labor strikes.

During the rise of industrialization, the United States had just ended the Civil War and was starting to move on. People had an aspiration at this time to make a more than decent living for themselves, and the economy was at the right spot for this to be possible. This time period in American History is referred to as the Gilded Age, termed by the famous author Mark Twain, which simply means covered in gold; however, Twain did not necessarily mean this in a good way. He believed right under the surface of this gold plating was still problems with the American society that didn’t look so appealing. This essay will discuss how practices during the rise of industrialization during the Gilded Age shaped the American work and labor force.

Industrialists played a huge role during the gilded age of America in the late nineteenth century. J. Pierpont Morgan was an important captain of industry because he helped expand American economy and transform American business.

Over time, from the Gilded Age to the 1940s, the United States made progress toward a more equal economic lifestyle for all Americans. Through a combination of laws, organizations, and determined citizens, the powers of businesses were regulated, workers were given rights, and America was transformed into an economic superpower. The Gilded Age was a time when the wealthy Titans of Industry held unlimited power, with no laws to hold them back. The first signs of progress began to show in the Progressive Era, largely due to muckrakers like Ida Tarbell and government officials such as President Theodore Roosevelt. The government strictly regulated monopolies, but that changed with the laissez-faire economic strategy in the Roaring 20s. While the

Going to work and being treated like a military organization where worker practically have a king ruling over them…no thanks. This is how it was during the Gilded Age for the workers of big businesses. Employees had no job security and never knew how much they'd be getting payed. The political leaders had a very tricky mindset which always seemed to get them ahead. Although many jobs were created because of big businesses during the Gilded Age, many workers were not satisfied with their hours, pay, and working conditions.

The Gilded Age was the last three decades of the nineteenth century, when America’s industrial economy exploded generating opportunities for individuals but also left many workers struggling for survival. With the many immigrants, skilled and unskilled, coming to America the labor system is becoming flooded with new employees. During this period, the immigrants, including the Italians, were unskilled and the skilled workers were usually American-born. There was also a divide in the workers and the robber barons. Robber barons were American capitalist who acquired great fortunes in the last nineteenth century, usually ruthlessly. There was much turmoil throughout the business and labor community. Two major organizations, the Knights of

The “big-business” that was invented in Industrial Age changed the American economy and culture. The increase in wealth increased the standards of living for all citizens and drew in immigrants from around the world to partake in the American Dream. The times of totally free enterprise with little to no regulation by government allowed monopolies