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The Industrial Revolution: The Gilded Age

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The Industrial Revolution, also known as the Gilded Age, dramatically emerged from the rubble of the Civil War. Small businesses began growing and soon the nation’s economy was led by a few intensely powerful individuals. Because of them, the United States had evolved to become the largest industrial nation in the world. These captains of industry boosted America’s economy, improved the efficiency of life, and gave back to others in society. The tycoons of the nation were one of the many reasons that America obtained such a strong economy. This is despite those who thought they achieved such success in cruel ways. According to a USHistory.org article, “as a result of improved transportation all Americans had access to more goods at a cheaper …show more content…

Business people took notice and jumped at the opportunity. As reported by USHistory.org following the Civil War, “George Westinghouse invented the air brake and trains could stop more reliably as a result. Railroad firms agreed on a standard width between tracks to reduce transfers. The Pullman Car Company produced sleeper cars and dining cars to make travel more comfortable” (36a). Air brakes provided the safety that locomotives lacked immensely. The sleeper and dining cars kept passengers away from the wood burner and the sparks it exuded. Other problems besides safety were addressed. Many different railroad companies had contrasting widths between tracks. In order to advance productivity, a consensus was attained. The Gilded Age proved itself to be not entirely atrocious. Captains of industry established their beneficialness to the American economy, citizens, and daily life. Anyone could contribute as long as they had the drive. Multitudes of people will say that such men were robber barons for refusing to settle for being a half-millionaire. Although it is true that many employees were not paid adequately, they happened to be contributing to America’s success. The question will forever remain on whether these industrialists were robber barons or captains of

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