Captain Of Industry In The Gilded Age

While many states in the South were utterly destroyed during the Civil War, the former Union states thrived. Large businesses that once made supplies for war now sought to expand into other territories. Simultaneously, large amounts of citizens left the countryside to work in factories. This led to a rapid growth in city populations. The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, allowing Americans to travel across the country much faster than ever before. 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. Throughout their lives, both men donated vast sums of money to benefit the public. Structures such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the University of Chicago were funded by these men. The

During this period, it appeared that big businesses were truly in control due to the fixing of elections and purchasing of favors. The wealth of these Captains of Industry was frequently thrown around in order to further their political interests and increase financial gain. Political involvement of the average American was at an all-time high during this era. These citizens were fiercely loyal to their respective political parties. Much like labor unions, dues were collected from party members. An emphasis was placed on local political involvement. Unlike today where so much coverage is directed toward the federal government, Americans during the Gilded Age sought to institute change in their own cities and