After the Civil War, the United States began to grow very quickly in regards to big business and corporations. This growth was influenced by innovations in manufacturing, transportation, business strategy, and more. The strengthening of businesses like the railroad business connected parts of the country and also helped foster the industrial growth of the nation. The rise of big business in the United States was seen through the increases of corporations in size, power, and influence on the country. The spread of large businesses in America impacted the country through economics as the standards of living rose, politically through business’ owners’ influence on the government, and through American response as attempts to limit the corruption …show more content…
Although some congressmen and politicians could be bribed into doing the will of the businessmen, not all of them were easily swayed by large sums of money. Many politicians sought to return the “government of the Republic to the hands of ‘the plain people’... [and] labor to correct these evils by wise and reasonable legislation” (Document F). Businessmen like William “Boss” Tweed, who cheated New York City out of $200 million, were jailed and in some cases, lost their fortune. Workers also began to protest their unfair wages and strenuous work hours by striking. Workers were being mistreated by the company owners according to Samuel Gompers in, What Does Labor Want? (Document G). The workers could not be treated as disposable tools to meet a certain condition as they were not “property”. Workers’ lives as well as their body parts needed to be treated respectfully and have safe working environments. A worker should not be fired and needs to be compensated when they’re injured on the job due to the business owner’s …show more content…
Large industries, notably the railroad industry molded the nation into a huge industrial manufacturer. This is similar to the growth of industry and business in England as the railroads and steam engines played a vital role in helping both nations grow and industrialize because of the geographical connections formed throughout the countries thanks to railroads. Large business was beneficial to the people in the sense that mass production made goods cheaper and provided jobs for those without any training. However, with its growth, big business also hurt the American people because owners used their money to influence politics and the community. Some congressmen quickly became people that were loyal to the person bribing them the highest amount of money, rather than the American voice that they were supposed to serve and protect. Attempts to deal with the corruptness that certain business owners thrived in led to crooks like “Boss” Tweed being jailed and losing their wealth. Workers also formed unions demanding for safer working conditions and more reasonable working hours. Big business’s growth in America brought these larges changes to the nation that impacted it economically, politically, and