The Gilded Age The Gilded Age was a period during the late 1800s. Many people made money from production of iron, steel, lumber, gold and silver. The increase caused the need for transportation for trading goods and services. This time period marked a huge part of American History because it was the largest growth on industry. Railroad started to be developed so trains could help transport goods from the West to the East. John D. Rockefeller became extremely wealthy for his business in the oil industry. Also Andrew Carnegie was also received a great bit of wealth through the production of steel. They were known as business robbers, because of how they made their wealth. However, the need for steel and oil were greatly demanded. The Gilded Age created many fortunes for people and their families during this period. While the economy wealth started to rise and expand rapidly, industrial workers worked in poor conditions that were often hidden behind the nation. Many men were killed building buildings and other constructions. Once the men were killed that was it, nothing left for the families to be taken care of. The people worked dangerous jobs to provide for themselves and family with little pay. Children were even working in dangerous factories and constructions barely little to no pay. Workers would try to go on strike, …show more content…
Rockefeller was the most powerful industrialist during this time. Andrew Carnegie and Rockefeller both had so much wealth. One of the hardship during this period was over production. For example, cotton falling from a higher price to a lower price because of over production. Also for Farmers, it was hard to pay back loans when they had brought land. Farmers and working class had it tough trying to provide and make a living for their families. They shared so many struggles with one another trying to survive in a time of sacrifice. They had to do what they could do to support and make a living of what they could make a living out