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The Causes Of Capitalism In The Gilded Age

Decent Essays

In The Gilded Age (1873), authors Mark Twain and Charles Warner suggested that the era’s slogan was, “Get rich, dishonestly if we can, honestly if we must.” This judgment on the time period has considerable merit and accuracy, I believe.
The urge and push towards Capitalism and getting rich became increasingly pronounced during this era. People from all walks of life were drawn into new ways of life by the desire to seek their fortune. Some headed to the West during the gold rushes, others headed West to start homesteads, businesses, or find economic opportunity by working on the rails, in mining, logging, farming, or at the growing ports and towns in the West. In the East, more and more people abandoned agrarian lifeways and sought economic opportunity in the cities. The Industrial Revolution spurred a spirit of invention and many tried to get rich and find fortune through creating new inventions. With increased trading and manufacturing opportunity, the potentials for wealth generation increased. Businessmen, investors, speculators, bankers, and politicians sought to cash in on recent developments in technology, trade, and transportation. Conversely, for those whom economic independence and opportunity was limited, a great dissatisfaction grew, in part, because of the belief that economic prosperity and the riches were not being fairly shared across social classes. The desire to get rich, accumulate wealth and have the freedoms they granted heavily influenced many people’s decisions, politics, and business practices, for better or for worse. I feel there is great accuracy in suggesting that the era was very preoccupied with getting rich.
By saying, “dishonestly if we can, honestly if we must,” the authors speak to the more questionable or unethical practices that were occurring during the era. Political corruption was rampant. Big companies used their wealth and power to influence legislation and legislators to support favorable policies. Many politicians had direct ties to businesses that today we could call a conflict of interest. Some directed companies, or held stock in them, or received salaries from them. These politicians would then support policies that benefited the companies and their own

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