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Big Business In The Gilded Age Dbq

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Big Business in the Gilded Age DBQ During the civil war, railroads were used to transport the needs of war. Such as guns, medical supplies, and food. After The homestead act was signed into law the need for railroads grew more rapidly as people moved west. This caused the need for oil, steel, and railroads to increase. Eventually allowed these business owners such as Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J. D. Rockefeller to control everything around them including the government. From 1870 to 1900, corporations grew significantly in number, size, and influence in the United States causing big corporations to control the government and the people in America. After the civil war, railroads became the main way to transport people or goods. …show more content…

So he created the grand central station to control what comes in and out of the northeast. He became the richest man by the end of the civil war by investing in railroads. And drives out his competition leaving him the sole owner of railroads and what and how much product gets traded for. Document 1 states “The railroad president is a railroad king, whose whim is the law. He can fix the price of freights, and thus command the food and fuel supplies of the nation. In his right hand he holds the government; in his left hand, the people”. Document 1 shows how railroad leaders such as Vanderbilt can control the economical state of America. For example, he can raise the price of transporting crops from the midwest and cause the economy and millions of people to go into a depression. Which happened in 1887 when farmers couldn't afford to stay in business because they could afford the cost of freight. Caused Granger laws, the ruling in Munn v. IL, and the creation of the Interstate Commerce Act allowing the federal government to control parts of …show more content…

to be on top of the pyramid, you had to have money and you preyed upon the poorest of people during the time; factory workers. Document 4 states “This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of Wealth: First, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community”. Document 4 is a step of instructions written by Andrew Carnegie explaining the importance of showing off wealth to benefit the community. Carnegie later in his life was known for being a philanthropist and trying to improve the lives of the people in his community. He funded libraries such as the Carnegie library that can be found all around America. By the end of his life, he donated over $40 million in today's money. By 1891 a new political party called the populist party was formed in support of farmers. Document 5 states “We pledge ourselves that if given power we will labor to correct these evils by wise and reasonable legislation, in accordance with the terms of our platform. We believe that the power of

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Justin Clement APUS DBQ Big businesses controlled the economy and politics throughout 1870-1900. They were in control of the prices for certain items because they destroyed their smaller competitors until there was no competition left. They had much sway over politics and took away the people’s say. As we can see from Document A, between 1870-1899, the price for food, fuel, lighting and living decreased with the emergence of big businesses.

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The transcontinental railroad system developed after the Civil War in 1869; this was at the time of the Gilded Age. The reason why the railroads were industrialized, was to revolutionize and expanded the economic growth throughout the United States. Thus, allowing commercial goods to be delivered for a lower rate, as well as, transporting people across the country from coast to coast. During this era, Jay Gould became a railroad mogul, by monopolizing the railroads. As stated in the textbook, 'He operated in the stock market like a shark".

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In the 19th century, individuals became incredibly wealthy due to the rapid expansion of railroads throughout the United States. These railroad tycoons amassed fortunes by investing in and controlling the transportation industry. The development of railroads allowed for faster and more efficient transportation of goods and people, ultimately leading to the growth of cities and industries across the country. There is no denying the significant impact these individuals had on American history and the economy. Cornelius Vanderbilt, also known as the "Commodore," was a prominent figure in American business during the 19th century.

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3. Despite the initial sentiment of economic historians, the railroad was not an integral part of American economic development after 1860. Even though the railroads were not crucial to economic growth does not negate the fact that the railroads were the first big business in the United States. The railroads benefited from economies of scale, increases in technology and pro-railroad legislation. The miles of track line increased exponentially from 30,000 miles of main line track in 1860 to 254,037 miles by 1916.

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After the Civil War America entered an era known as the Gilded Age where the economy began to grow in production of raw materials and railroads plus population increased tremendously. The industry of America grew large and big businessmen like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller became very wealthy and rich. Soon after the rise in popularity of the businessmen in Industry people began labeling the businessmen as either “ Robber Barons “ or “ Captains of Industry “. Robber Barons were considered entrepreneurs who would stop at little expense to achieve a lot of wealth. They would be cruel to their workers and force horrible working conditions while paying little to the workers.

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596 Words | 3 Pages

From 1865 to 1900 agriculture was at war, shifting from small, individual farms to larger commercialized farms because of the devaluing of currency, competition from corporate farms with more land and better technology, and government policies that proved detrimental to those clinging to old ways of life. To escape debt and seek profit in new lands, many farmers started working westward but so did corporations looking to expand. Because of westward expansion, companies like the union pacific railroad company built railroads that connected lands all across the U.S. and earned 10 miles of land in either direction of the railroad. This land put the railroad in control of many western lands and in control of the prices of land, travel and resource transportation.

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Next, he made trading and traveling more efficient because of his large amount of rail routes. The film, “A New War Begins” says that his railroad routes were the only way to ship supplies into New York City. This displays the fact that he

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Moreover the growth of railroads made it possible for the establishment of business organizations across America because people were much more closer and urbanization played a huge role in making many people and cooperation’s to create and expand their businesses throughout the country making them well known to the public and also help create employment opportunities in the places where businesses where

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The editors of the website, “History.com”, said “ In addition to transporting western food crops and raw materials to East Coast markets and manufactured goods from East Coast cities to the West Coast, the railroad also facilitated international trade…the U.S. by the 1890s had the most powerful economy on the planet” (para 3). Being able to transport goods from coast to coast brought new opportunities, and companies began to gain more profit as a result of more products being sold. The economy went from a generally limited location on the east coast to creating industries across the nation. The railroad created a production boom because industries in the eastern U.S. had to create the supplies necessary to build the railroad as well as creating the opportunity for industries to expand to the

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The expansion of industry contributed to the changes in many noneconomic arenas during the Gilded Age. To begin, as the industry grew during this era we also saw the rise of the middle class people. As a result, politics now changed to reflect the middle class interests. For example, politicians began protesting poverty and corruption. Also, the country saw a change in their global connections.

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With the accumulation of wealth came dominance and these entrepreneurs became some of the most powerful men in America. “Yet, their ruthlessness in building wealth at the expense of their competitors, workers, and consumers, often earned them the contrary title of “Robber Barons”, suggesting that they may have used unquestionable or unethical business practices to become wealthy and powerful” (Gilded Age Document A); some of these methods included vertical integration, horizontal integration, predatory pricing and the establishment of “the trust”. These men held the world in the palms of their hands, “administering it (wealth) for the community far better than it would have done itself” (Gilded Age Document A). “This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: First, to set an example of modest, ostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which one to him simply as trust funds,”(Gilded Age document A), just as Rockefeller did.

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To put into perspective what it might have been like to have a modern day example of Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth, we can observe someone like Bill Gates. This is someone who built up a fortune then came back to establish foundations giving back some of its wealth to over come poverty or spread throughout the health and education systems. Participating in what Carnegie’s vision suggested, there are people living today who want to be apart of the revolt to help bring low income areas help that they need. Social Darwinists, like William Sumner contest that the turbulence of the

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In turn, railroad companies spent large sums of money purchasing railroad supplies. The cycle of employing large numbers of workers, building the railroads, and spending large sums of money stimulated extraordinary growth in the economy. In addition, railroads caused the remarkable growth of nationwide marketing in America in the late 19th century. Railroads allowed mail-order

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But it quickly led to corruption, corporate manipulation, and monopolies in the workforce. One monopoly that evolved was the introduction of industrial railroads across America.2 Although railroads promised general economic prosperity and growth, railroad moguls of the 19th century manipulated the development to gain political and economic control, affecting the growing wealth gap. The Gilded Age was a time of inequality, with those who belonged to the upper class using their power and privilege to extend the wealth gap, leaving many of the lower classes facing issues of economic security, housing, and employment. This inequality led to the introduction of a free labour ideology.3

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After a decade, there are 30,000 miles of operational railroad. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Pacific Railroad Act, leading to the construction of the intercontinental railroad and a means of transport between the west and the east. During the Civil War, railroads were a crucial tool that both sides of the conflict used to move troops and transport materials. The railroad's “golden age” starts in 1865, and from this point until 1916, the railroad network is unmatched and is scaled up by an incredible degree. The railroad network consists of 254,000 miles of operational railroads by 1916.

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