| Capitalism vs. Socialism during the 1920’s | Diamond Jackson | | History II Dr. Hilton | |

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Upton Sinclairs’ The Jungle is a common form of muckraking during the 20’s. The book is about a Lithuanian family who relocated to the US in hopes of finding success and building better lives. After hearing the story of how America supports the idea of freedom, and has unlimited opportunity, the main character Jurgis is convinced America was the place to be. Once arriving to America and coming in contact with the reality of the myth of his ideal society, Jurgis exposes the deeply rooted capitalism and the effects and problems that it causes. Because of this, Sinclair feels that socialism is the remedy to the capitalistic conditions he’s now a part of. Andrew Carnegies’ The Gospel of Wealth is a viewpoint of how beneficial capitalism is to American society and economy which is seen through the eyes of a high-class businessperson. Carnegie discusses the history of there being an equal society, the natural law of competition, and the capitalistic results and benefits. Sinclairs’ The Jungle and Carnegies’ The Gospel of Wealth are opposing viewpoints, therefore when it comes to the unequal distribution of wealth and ideas about capitalism and socialism both arguments are supportive and reasonable to a certain extent.
In the 1920’s, the unequal distribution of wealth is evident and Americans start to see many cultural changes. America has now adopted the idea of conspicuous consumption which means Americans are competing with their neighbors and spending their income on luxury goods to show economic status. Sinclair’s views uneven distribution of wealth as unfair and cruel to the lower-class. Sinclair criticizes the capitalism by mentioning the social conditions of the people in city, the work environment of employees, and the impact capitalism had on real-estate. Upon moving to the crowded streets of Chicago, he describes a walk around the neighborhood, “the gullies and ditches were filled with stinking green water… In which the children played” (Ch. 2). Another capitalistic feature is clear in the real estate scheme involving a house they seen through advertisement. To begin, the real-estate agent false advertised the house and told Jurgis and Ona the house was "brand new". On top of that, "he talked so incessantly that they were quite confused". (Ch. 4) Because of them not knowing how to look for more houses and not having a way of finding out about houses, Jurgis ends up signing a "8year, 4 month rental" contract (Ch. 4). Sinclair later describes the meat packing house in ways that would even make a person with a strong stomach want to vomit. He describes the factory by saying, cattle from many states were brought inside, broken legged, gored sides, and even dead ones were brought inside and "carefully scattered [with good meat] so that they could not be identified" (Ch. 6) Even though the business owners manipulated their employees, at the end of the day the employees’ mission was initially to find a job and take care of their family. Most people found jobs, but the standards and quality of the job were risky, filthy, and the wages at which they were being paid were absurd. Capitalism has a bigger role economically and socially than Capitalist believers might want to consider. The social conditions of the people in city, the work environment of employees, and the impact capitalism had on real-estate all led up to his belief that socialism was best for America.
Carnegie proves his support of the idea that Capitalism and the unequal distribution of wealth by stating, “The contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the cottage of the laborer… is not to be deplored, but welcomed as highly beneficial” (Pg. 1) Carnegie believes it is natural, and should not be changed. He makes it evident by stating that this change (gap between rich and poor) whether it be good or ill it is upon us, beyond our power to alter, and, therefore, to be accepted and made the best of.” Carnegie even says “It is a waste of time to criticize the inevitable.”(Pg. 2)Carnegie believes that when it comes to the law of competition “it is here; we cannot evade it; no substitutes have been found; and while the law may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race…” and this law destroys the homogeneity (Pg. 4). The thought of that one day the wealth will trickle down is long term strategic, but selfish in the moment. Looking through the lenses of a hard working person one might ask, “Where would a business owner be without the labor of others”? Businessmen slave the masses for low wages and accumulate wealth from the labor of others without considering the perspective of the average person working the job. If left up to nature to determine the image of realty, the gap between rich and poor would be wider than we’d imagine. And then, of all reasons we walk past on the day-to-day; of all causes we witness loved ones get trapped in; and of all problems we encounter as a people, the wealthiest individuals suggest three modes to dispose of wealth. One, being left to the families after death; two being donated for public purposes; and three being managed by its possessors during their lives.
All citizens of the United States have the freedom to create income and/or wealth, but having surplus, or unnecessary/unused millions, billions, and trillions of dollars while the rest of the nation suffers is a selfish idea. Sinclairs’ The Jungle and Carnegies’ The Gospel of Wealth are opposing viewpoints, therefore when it comes to the unequal distribution of wealth and ideas about capitalism and socialism both arguments are supportive and reasonable. Before Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency, people were forming trusts and controlling the people they employed. It shows the result of letting businesspeople control their own business and dominate the economy with no regulation. Eventually after muckrakers and labor unions begin to strike and fight for a voice in business conditions betters. During Roosevelt’s’ presidency his policy focused on economic and social regulation and trustbusting (filing over 40 trust-busting suits). Roosevelt stepped in and created different agencies to inspect and regulate businesses, which now results in the minimum wage and agencies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).