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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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