Captains Of Industry: The Industrial And Gilded Age

The Gilded Age was an era of tremendous industrial expansion, driven by technological advances and the influx of immigrants; this period of rapid change had an immense effect on the country's socioeconomic landscape, transforming it from an agricultural to an increasingly industrial one and urbanized economy. Innovations in transportation, such as steamboats, railroads, and streetcars, enabled the rapid movement of goods and people, connecting distant regions and allowing for the rapid expansion of trade and commerce. The industrial revolution brought large-scale businesses, new jobs, and a surge in production, but it also created economic disparities between the wealthy and the working class. The Gilded Age saw social and political reform,

In the novel, “The Tycoons” by Charles R. Morris, he explains how Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Jay Gould, and J.P. Morgan invented the American super economy. In Morris’s novel, he goes in depth of the lives of these men and the experiences that truly made them the group who transformed America’s economy. They transformed the greatest industries of our time: oil, rail, steel, and finance. Not only did they transform America for the better but are also the first captains of industry. I will start with J.P. Morgan who was an art collector, banker, and financier.

The Gilded Age was an era of rapid growth in the Americas, between 1870 and 1900. Early industrialists, like John D. Rockefeller, set out to create monopolies. In 1859, hundreds of people rushed to Pennsylvania to industrialize oil. Although they were ruthless competitors and hard-nosed employers, early industrialists like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie should be remembered most as "captains of industry" because their grit and resourcefulness left an invaluable positive impact on American society. It is true that some industrialists exhibit a few qualities of a robber baron.

In a time when the United States changed from a predominantly rural nation to a modern industrial society called the Gilded age. During these times America saw massive waves of immigration and huge technological advances, such as the Transcontinental Railroad and the electric motor. Due to this industrialization workers like industrial workers and farmers responded in many ways. Farmers and Industrial workers responded to industrialization during the Gilded Age by establishing the Farmer’s Alliance, work unions, and the formation of the Populist Party.

Olivia Strzalka 10/19/15 The wave of industrialism, in the 1800s and 1900s, was driven by men that ruled over American industry. These two men, most commonly known as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, used strategies and tactics that made some people think of them as robber barons while others had a more positive outlook and believed they were captains of industry. Robber barons referred to people who used unfair business practices. On the contrary, captains of industry were entrepreneurs who took risks developing the new inventions and technology during the era of the Industrial Revolution.

With this new influx of workers and business, numerous so called “Captains of Industry" were born. Men such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were men who came from nothing, but made fortunes off their innovations in the steel and oil industries. While their actions greatly benefitted the American economy, their monopolistic desires earned them a sinister reputation. These captains both had a disdain for competition and would do everything in their power to eliminate or absorb any opponents in order to gain more influence.

Industrialization was a catalyst of tension between laborers and the owners of capital which then led to political reform, as well as thousands of immigrants coming to America looking for work. Industrialization was a cause of tension between laborers and the owners of capital. The Gilded Age was a time with large and rapid economic growth, and additionally helped capitalism strengthen in America. Industrialization and innovation sparked more, unregulated manufacturing where the capital owners’ net worth boomed.

The Gilded Age and The Progressive Era were affected by the rise of industrialization during the 1870’s through the 1920’s. The Gilded Age is most famous for its “modern industrial economy. The increase of economic growth was specifically seen in the North and the West. Wages increased by 60% during 1860-1890 (Digital History)”, which

Rise of Labor in the Gilded Age Over the years, the various efforts of labor unions in American history have resulted in the improvements and consideration of civil rights in the workforce. Following the Industrial Revolution in the first half of the 19th century, labor, due to the industrialization and innovations of the Gilded Age, experienced a tremendous rise. As big corporations gained success from forming connections with other corporations, so laborers realized that they should do the same: in order to have their voices heard, they would need to band together and demand change.

The Gilded Age highlighted many issues with America's government, economy, and social life. While it may have appeared fine from the outside, the truth is that America was running on the bare minimum amount of regulations, the governments were riddled with corruption throughout and it was not sustainable. Political machines were running parts of the government essentially controlling votes, and lack of economic regulations led to trusts growing out of control. These big businesses had very few rules on how they had to treat their employees, which enabled them to be subject to harsh working conditions. The Progressive movement was a time to move forward and ignited widespread political change which led to social reform and lesser corruption.

In a time after the Civil War, when a transcontinental railroad was created connecting the East and West, people began to move and settle across the country, creating new urban cities and manufacturing hubs. It was because of the railroad that the Second Industrial Revolution and the Gilded Age took place which rapidly increased the manufacturing of products through the new machines in factories and the spread of ideas by the telegraph and railroad. It was in this context that many farmers, as well, began to move West and experience a loss in the prices of their crops. It is also in this context that many workers were forced to work long, laborious hours with little pay. Farmers responded to industrialization in the Gilded Age by forming organizations such as the Granger movement and the Farmers Alliance as well as creating the Populist Party.

The Gilded Age in America lasted from 1878- 1889. During this time many industries experienced drastic growth and as a result, an influx of immigrants flooded America. The 3 biggest industries included railroads, factories, and coal mines. Working conditions during the Gilded Age were poor, with low pay, unsafe working conditions, and long hours. Large corporations throughout the Gilded Age controlled the pay of many workers within the United States , held great political power by influencing legislation, and had a negative impact on a majority of American citizens.

As reconstruction ended in the South, there began a new era known as the “Gilded Age.” This term was coined by Mark Twain and meant that although everything seemed prosperous on the surface, if you dig deeper life wasn’t all that great for the working class. During the Gilded Age, new inventions and a growing immigrant workforce led to the rise of industries. Inventions like the Bessemer Process, which allowed for the production of higher quality steel, and the growth of railroads, such as the Transcontinental railroad, led to a boom in industrial production. This massive growth in the industrial sector had positive effects on the American economy, although just like the term “Gilded, ” not everything was perfect under the surface.

The time period from when the Second Industrial Revolution was beginning, up until President McKinley’s assassination in 1901, is known as the Gilded Age. After the Civil War, many people headed out West to pursue agriculture, and many immigrants moved to urban areas to acquire jobs in industrial factories. It is in this context that farmers and industrial workers had to respond to industrialization. Two significant ways farmers and industrial workers responded to industrialization in the Gilded Age, were creating the Populist Party and the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

The industrial revolution was the beginning of America 's first step in her constant race of exploration. The success that transportation brought to America provided new political advances and opportunities. Transportation allowed nationwide unity to become an idea as Americans realized that their fellow northern or southern citizen suddenly wasn 't so far away. Goods became more accessible and distribution of these demanded goods was made easier. Classes of people began to emerge making America more competitive and profitable.