Explain How Big Businesses Controlled The Economy And Politics Throughout 1870-1900

In the early 1900s, corporations and monopolies were major concerns, especially the larger corporations and monopolies that dominated the market and were controlled by trusts.

This essay will generally analyze the relationship between the government and businesses, and how “Big Business” essentially took control of the Gilded Age. America’s first true big business mostly arose because of the railroads, which is fairly significant, because it essentially helped lead the development of other business barons such as, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J. Pierpont Morgan who all had particularly extraordinary accomplishments in shaping our economy. Most of these men who created big businesses after the Civil War were driven by a compelling desire to become rich and influential.

May 15, 1911, the United States Supreme Court has declared that Standard Oil to being an “unreasonable” monopoly and orders the company to be dissolved under the Sherman Antitrust Act. Founder of Standard Oil John D. Rockefeller entered the oil industry during the 1860s; and working alongside his business partner was able to create a oil empire. A ruthless businessman, he used his wealth to buy out the competition and as the company expanded they receive benefits such as discounted rates from railroads. By the year 1882, he controlled almost every aspect of the oil industry: distribution, marketing, refining, you name it he has complete control of it. He eventually controlled almost 90% of the United States oil production.

After the civil war, government estiabled different policies. Changes occurred one by one. Between 1860-1900, government policies position the farmers and ranchers in the west not only progress on individual opportunity by giving farmers more land opportunity and educational opportunity, but also setback on individual opportunity by giving farmers poor land resource and less market securing credit. First, government policies made a progress in increasing individual opportunity which specifically about land distribution and education system among the farmers between 1860-1900. For land distribution, one of the policies was the Homestead Act.

In the first half of the nineteenth century, economic differences increased. When the cotton gin was invented, it had caused the south to have a totally different economic path than the north. (246). Eventually, the

Many portray the 1920s as a time of lighthearted leisure and prosperity. When in fact this period consisted of significant economic , social and cultural conflicts. Technological innovations sparked the economy and life post war was significantly different with the introduction to what we know as the “New women” the new women also sparked many social conflicts. Along with the New women tension between religion and science also sparked many important conflicts during the time we know as the Jazz Age.

In the 1800s, there were a lot of really big companies called “Trusts.” The dictionary defines a trust as “a large business with significant market power.” In the 1800s, these trusts controlled major sections of the economy such as railroads, sugar, oil, and steel. When one company controlled an entire industry of supplies, there was no competition and the trusts had complete control over every aspect of their product. This meant that they were fully in control of how much product they supplied and how much they priced the product for.

Overall given these points Between the 1870 -1900 after the post civil war america’s corporations grew significantly in number and

The populists created an economic reforms included an increase in money supply which caused a rise in prices on received goods and services; a graduated income tax; and a federal loan program. The Populists eventually lost attention when many in the South and Midwest switched parties during the elections. The people living in the South and Midwest were pushing for a democratic representative to get their goals to follow through. The economic crisis dominated in 1890’s which responded with strong forces on industrialization, the economy had grown too quickly. There were overbuilt railroads and companies had outgrown their markets, farms and businesses borrowed heavily for the expansion (P. 467).

The late 19th century was full of growth, production, and business. People were craving power and seemed to achieve this through any means necessary. Consequently, a new business elite formed consisting of the richest men alive. The way in which these individuals acquired all their profits is something very contradictory even over one-hundred years later. Some historians characterize these businessmen as “robber barons” who used extreme methods to control and concentrate wealth and power, and being supported by multiple sources, this statement is justified but only to some extent.

Thesis : After the Civil War, America was in a post-war boom. During the 1870-1890, big business moguls, such as Rockefeller and Carnegie, create huge corporations which not only affected the economy, but also affected the political realm of America. While many may assume that during the rise of these big business helped to change the economy and politics,  the real focus was on the responses formed by society, such as labor unions, increase public outcry, and political opposition groups that helped to change society. A: Economically, big business flourished during the late 1800s.

During the 1877 through 1920 the government's role wasn't really expanding, instead people were getting furious that the government weren't really doing anything to improve life so they started going on strikes, making unions, and bringing people of different cause together to try to force the government into being useful. However, this only led to political corruption, people saying they would do something to help the people and people would believe and put their trust into this "person" to only be blackmailed in the end. These "people" were called political bosses and they had their little organization or political machines and people would do them favors to gain jobs or etc. This growing "government" was a mixed bag for the American people,

The economy was consistent in the United States during the 1870’s but as the years went on large businesses were able to lower the cost of food prices, fuel and lighting

The United States American expansionism in the 1890's was motivated by the search of new markets and investment opportunities. Businesses created the expansion because the economy was so prosperous at this time. Mechanization and mass production allowed the industries in America to grow, which led to the growth of business, consumer goods and the overall American corporation. According to the textbook, the businesses interest shaped diplomatic and military strategy. Additionally, farm production increased, transportation systems improved and railroads were a significant factor.

In the time between the 1890s and 1920s, America experienced a massive amount of growth. People in poverty-stricken, overcrowded cities suffered greatly. In big cities, politicians kept power using several political machines. Companies created monopolies and controlled the nation’s economy. Many Americans were concerned about this, and believed that great change was needed in society to protect everyday people.